Bangladesh: Immediately release illegally arrested gay men by police

Mrs. Sheikh Hasina



Prime Minister

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Office of the Prime Minister

Tejgaon, Dhaka

BANGLADESH

Fax: +880 2 811 3244 / 3243 / 1015 / 1490

E-mail: pm [at] pmo.gov.bd



Re: Bangladesh: Immediately release illegally arrested gay men by police



Dear Prime Minister,



I am William Nicholas Gomes, Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com.



I have been informed regarding an alarming situation by Boys of Bangladesh, popularly known as BoB, is the oldest and the largest network of self-identified Bangladeshi gay men from home and abroad. Based in Dhaka, this non-registered, non-funded and non-formal group is run by a pool of volunteers.



I came to know that three gay men were illegally arrested by Bangladesh in Sylhet. While Bangladeshi young gay men Sumon, Jakir and British citizen Alen were enjoying their time in a hotel in Sylhet, the Kotwali police breach the privacy and illegally detained them in custody.



I have been informed by local sources that police have physically and mentally tortured Sumon and Jakir upon arrest.



The kotwali have filed a case against british citizen Alen and charged under Section 377A of BPC, for adult homosexual sex acts with Sumon and Jakir.



I want to remind you this 377A is an unconstitutional law and against the basic human rights and breach the inspiration of the constitution.



I am really concern with this inhuman law the three innocent men may be punished with fines and/or up to 10 years, sometimes life imprisonment.



I want to remind you that this law is inhuman and against the inspiration of our constitution:

Part II Article 19 – Promises equal opportunity for all citizens.
Part III Article 27- Promises equality before the law for all citizens.

I also want to remind you that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be able to enjoy their human rights.



I urge you to prosecute the kotwali police who are involved in human rights violations by arresting the three young men who identify them as gay and the police based on sexual orientation or gender identity arrested them because they are different from them, please bring the perpetrators held accountable and brought to justice.



I also urge you to take all necessary legislative, administrative and other measures to prohibit and eliminate prejudicial treatment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity at every stage of the administration of justice;



Yours sincerely,

William Nicholas Gomes

Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com

http://www.williamgomes.org
http://www.facebook.com/notes/william-nicholas-gomes/bangladesh-immediately-release-illegally-arrested-gay-men-by-police/396149687118236