Bangladesh: International organization raised questions on threatening human rights activist!

An international organization has expressed concern over the intimidation and harassment of a human rights activist from the Chittagong Hill Tracts area of ​​Bangladesh. Ireland-based Front Line Defenders has called on the Bangladesh government to immediately withdraw the warning letter issued to Rani Yan Yan and clarify its legal basis. The organization also said that all forms of intimidation against the workers should be stopped and their safety should be ensured.

Rani Yan Yan is a tribal rights activist living in Rangamati area of ​​Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). According to the organization, she has been working on the issues of empowerment, social justice and equality of tribal women and youth for the last decade.

According to the report, Rangamati Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Najma Ashrafi issued a formal warning letter to Rani on April 6 on the instructions of the Home Ministry and sent it to several government offices.

The letter accused Rani of making “misleading and false allegations” against the Bangladesh government and army at the international level and trying to unite various tribal organisations. It was also said that their activities could worsen the situation in the area.

However, Front Line Defenders said the letter provided no concrete evidence to support these allegations.

On April 24, Rani’s lawyer Sara Hussain responded in writing to the district administration, calling the allegations “vague and baseless” and demanding immediate withdrawal of the letter. In the reply it was also said that sending this letter to many offices has harmed the Queen’s image, which comes under the ambit of defamation.

The organization said many human rights activists and civil society figures in Bangladesh have also criticized the letter, calling it an attempt to suppress freedom of expression, especially on issues related to the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The international organization has appealed to the government to ensure that all human rights workers can do their work without fear and pressure.