Ameer-e-Jamaat

2021-09-06

10 leaders including Secretary General and two Assistant Secretary Generals arrested; Jamaat Ameer condemns; Demands immediate release

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued the following statement on 6 September, 2021 protesting and condemning the unjustified arrests of 10 top Jamaat leaders including party's Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Raifqul Islam Khan and Hamidur Rahman Azad and demanding their immediate release.

"Jamaat-e-Islami is a systematic and democratic political party. Amidst the ongoing covid-19 pandemic situation, Jamaat is trying relentlessly to stand by the side of the people. As a part of party’s regular activities, a meeting was organised this afternoon keeping Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar in the chair. From this meeting, the government arrested 10 Jamaat leaders and activists including 7 central leaders. The arrested leaders are party's Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Hamidur Rahman Azad, Jamaat's central executive committee members Principal Abdur Rab, Principal Ijjat Ullah and Mobarak Hossain and Chhatrashibir's former central president Yasin Arafat.

An anarchic situation is prevailing in the country. It has been a long decade that the government has seized people's fundamental rights away. No political party is allowed to conduct their regular political activities. Of the parties, Jamaat-e-Islami has become the worst victim of government's repression and political vengeance. Thousands of Jamaat leaders and activists have been detained and they faced unbearable tortures and oppression. Many others became crippled forever. Despite such inhuman brutalities, Jamaat has been operating its activities peacefully and systematically. In particular, during last 18 months of the pandemic, Jamaat has played historical role to serve the fellow countrymen.

We want to assert that, all parties have the due right to continue their peaceful programs and organizational activities. It is a constitutionally guaranteed rights. No one has the authority to deprive anybody from.exercising such rights. No authority can hold office by complying the strategies of torture and repression. Earlier, many governments had tried to subdue people's movement by arresting opposition leaders and activists. The incumbent government will not be able to make it possible as well. I am urging the concerned authorities to stop conspiracies, oppression and tortures and to release detained 10 leaders including party's Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Hamidur Rahman Azad immediately.