At Nordic Right, we are committed to advocating for and upholding human rights across the Nordic Region and beyond. Today, we strongly condemn the unjust detention and conviction of two prominent human rights activists in Bangladesh, Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, who were released on bail on Sunday evening after being imprisoned since September 14 in a cybercrime case.
Adilur Rahman Khan, the founder and secretary of Odhikar, and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, the organization’s director, have been instrumental in documenting thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. Their tireless efforts in exposing human rights violations have earned them international recognition and support.
Khan expressed that Odhikar’s work would continue “as usual” despite their ordeal, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to defending human rights in Bangladesh. Khan stated, “The prosecution failed to prove the charges against us for which we were convicted and jailed. We have become victims of judicial injustice. We never provided any false information in any of our reports.”
The case against Khan and Elan dates back to May 6, 2013, when they attempted to disperse an Islamic group protest in Dhaka during which several protesters were killed by security forces. According to Odhikar’s fact-finding report, at least 61 people lost their lives that day. Government prosecutors alleged that Khan and Elan compiled a “distorted” fact-finding report, contradicting this account by putting the death toll at 11.
Shockingly, it took ten years for the court to pronounce Khan and Elan guilty, and they were subsequently sentenced to two years in prison and fined $91 each. This unjust imprisonment has led to widespread outrage among human rights organizations worldwide. In a joint statement, 39 international rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, and Amnesty International, called upon the Bangladeshi authorities to “immediately and unconditionally” release the activists, emphasizing that they had been detained solely for their human rights work.
Khan and Elan appealed to the High Court for their release, and on October 10, 2023, bail was granted, albeit with a delay of five days for the court order to reach prison authorities. The court has stayed the $91 fine until the appeal is resolved, and an appeal hearing of their sentence is pending. Furthermore, the state has filed an appeal seeking an enhancement of their punishment.
Nordic Rights firmly stands with Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan and reiterates our unwavering support for human rights defenders worldwide. Their case is emblematic of the challenges faced by independent activists in Bangladesh, where the judiciary is being misused to silence dissenting voices.
In addition to their work on extrajudicial killings, Odhikar has diligently reported on thousands of enforced disappearances, cases of torture in custody, and other human rights violations in Bangladesh. Their dedication to human rights remains unwavering, even in the face of adversity.
We call upon the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure justice is served and to uphold the fundamental rights of individuals like Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, who are dedicated to the cause of human rights and justice. The world is watching, and we stand united with the global human rights community in their support.
