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Farhad Mazhar, noted poet and a front ranking intellectual of Bangladesh, has been put on detention by Mrs. Zia’s government for 120 days from July 30 under the notorious Special Powers Act 3(1)A,1974. The government failed to formally charge him. It is understood that his arrest has been in response to his journalistic activities, especially his recent article on the ANSAR - auxiliary police force - rebellion of 1994 in CHINTA (thought/thinking), July 16-30, the Bangla fortnightly that Mr. Mazhar edits. Mr. Mazhar is well known for his uncompromising critique of the dictatorships that ruled Bangladesh for the better part of her short history. His criticism of the present regime likewise stands on the unfailing standards of popular sovereignty. |
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We are deeply concerned that what is under attack is the fundamental democratic right of the citizen, especially the fundamental right to freedom of expression, short of which no political order can flatter itself a democracy. At stake is the question of the nation as a democratic community where men and women, working and peasant classes, religious and ethnic communities could afford to survive with a guarantee of minimum human rights. It is a shame that a universally elected government can not face a weapon of criticism without resorting to a criticism by imprisonment. We condemn the police harassment, the detention order and demand immediate release of the poet. |
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That the civil rights situation in the country has deteriorated needs no better proof than the arrest and detention of Farhad Mazhar. Mazhar’s poetic output is prolific in quantity and of very high quality as well. He is in the throes of crafting a completely novel poetic diction and is the most radical exponent of ‘socially committed’ poetry in Bangla today. Farhad has consistently defended the rights of the underdog, the oppressed and the silenced. For example, his journal CHINTA has upheld the rights of the nationalities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts with rare integrity and verve. Farhad’s defense of the unfortunate ANSARs and exposure of the brutalities meted out to them in the wake of last year’s failed uprising - with all its peasantly tragedy - is a great service to democracy, an act of civic conscience . |
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We South Asian writers and citizens abroad do protest the government action and demand immediate release of Farhad Mazhar. We also demand the abolition of all anti-democratic and anti-constitutional laws including the Special Powers Act, 1974. |
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If you agree to the spirit of this statement please add your name to the list . You are free to endorse parts of the statement. Please feel free to add your own comments and concerns and send your letters etc. individually or collectively to: |
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Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Dhaka (fax) 880-2-813244 (fax) 880-2-81149 and to international organizations and news media of your choice. |
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* * * * * * * * Following are the fax numbers you can use either individually or as groups to send your support urging release of poet Farhad Mazhar: Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Dhaka (fax) 880-2-813244 (fax) 880-2-811490 Ambassador of Bangladesh, Washington, DC (fax) 202-333-4971 Consul General of Bangladesh, New York (fax) 212-682-9211 Bangladesh Permanent Mission to UN (fax) 212-972-4038 * * * * * * * * |
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Salimullah Khan New School for Social Research, New York Phone: 718-892-9882 Fax: 718-823-8890 Internet: mjayuse@aol.com |
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___________________________________________ Dear scb-ers, Below is the skeleton of a letter I faxed to UBINIG (011-8802 813065). This version is obviously addressed to the Ambassador in DC, but the fax number I was given when I called the embassy (202-333-4971) doesn't seem to be working. Does anyone have an alternate fax # for the Embassy? And more importantly, does anyone have the fax # for the Home Ministry in Dhaka? |
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I urge you all to fax UBINIG letters of protest for them to forward to the relevant officials in Dhaka. Please don't let time constrain you; it will take you only a minute to edit the skeleton below and fax away. |
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[your address]
The Hon. Humayun Kabir Your Excellency, I have just heard that the well-known intellectual and activist Farhad Mazhar has been arrested under the Special Powers Act for his writings. I protest this violation of Mr. Mazhar's rights. I am shocked that the democratically-elected BNP government is misusing its powers in this manner. The Special Powers Act is a legacy of autocratic rule; its use by the present government to silence peaceful citizens shows flagrant disregard for the democratic ideals of the Constitution of Bangladesh. Mr. Mazhar has committed no crime. He should be released immediately and unconditionally. Thank you. Yours sincerely, [your name, title, phone #] * * * * * * * * Zahin Hasan Oberlin College, '93 School of International & Public Affairs, Columbia University, '95 ksh11@columbia.edu (212) 316-4049 Zahin Hasan Oberlin College, '93 School of International & Public Affairs, Columbia University, '95 ksh11@columbia.edu |