13 foreign envoys concern about Mushtaq's death

The heads of 13 OECD diplomatic missions, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have expressed "deep concern" over the death of author Mushtaq Ahmed while in custody in a digital security law case. "We call on the government of Bangladesh to conduct a speedy, transparent and independent investigation into the overall circumstances of Mushtaq's death," they said in a joint statement on Friday. Speakers include US Ambassador Earl R. Miller, British High Commissioner Robert Dixon, Canadian High Commissioner Benoit Prefanten, Danish Ambassador Winnie Estrap Petersen, European Union Ambassador Renzi Tirinko, French Ambassador Jean Maritoul, French Ambassador Jean Maritoul, Nanjiata, Ambassador of the Netherlands Harry Verweis, Ambassador of Norway Aspen Richter Wendsen, Ambassador of Spain Francisco de Aces Benitez, Ambassador of Sweden Alessandra Berg von Linde and Ambassador of Switzerland Natalie Shearer.

"Mushtaq Ahmed has been in custody since May 5 last year before his trial under the Digital Security Act," they said in a statement. We have learned that his bail application has been rejected several times and this is raising concerns about his treatment in prison. ” Mushtaq, a businessman by profession, was quite active in writing on online media. Based on that, he got involved in the case of Digital Security Act.

Cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore, Didarul Bhuiyan of Rashtrachinta and Minhaj Mannan, a former director of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, were also arrested in the same case when Mushtaq was arrested from Lalmatia's house on May 8 last year. They were accused of 'spreading anti-government propaganda and rumors'. After the investigation, the police only charged Mushtaq, Kishore and Didar earlier this month. Although Didarul and Minhaj Mannan got bail, Kishore and Mushtaq's application was rejected several times.

Mushtaq, 53, died at the Kashimpur High Security Jail in Gazipur on Thursday night. Many are skeptical that the authorities have not made a clear statement on how he died. In Dhaka, besides protest rallies, torch processions and siege programs, various organizations have held janaza in absentia. Police also beat up a torch procession of the Progressive Students Alliance in the evening.

Prison authorities have filed a case of unnatural death in connection with Mushtaq's death; The district administration of Gazipur has formed an investigation committee. ‘Controversial, and‘ unclear ’from Friday’s daytime program. The Digital Security Act was demanded to be repealed. The BNPO demanded a judicial inquiry.

The diplomats' statement expressed concern about the various provisions of the law, saying "we will continue to work with the government on the provisions of the Digital Security Act and its implementation and its compliance with international human rights law and standards." The diplomats also expressed their condolences to Mushtaq's family and friends. More about this source textSource text required for additional translation information