DHAKA(PTI): Amnesty Interactional, the London based Human Rights body has expressed “deep concern” over Bangladesh government’s “failure” to provide Protection to author Taslima Narseen whose death has been demanded by Muslim fundamentalists.
Ina statement, quoted by Bengali Daily “Bhorer Kagoj” Oct.15, the Amnesty Interactional condemned the death threat handed out by a little-known fundamentalist outfit “Sahaba Sainik Parishad” (council of Islamic soldiers) on Sept.24 for Nasreen’s “Blasphe mouse writings” against Islam.
The threat, as well as a reward of Taka 50,000 (about 1250 US dollars) for Nasreen’s head, was announced at a rally organized by the Parishad in Sylhet town on Sept.24,
But, the Parishad convener Maulana Habibur Rahman, in a newspaper interview, denied having put a price on the head of the 31yearold writer whose views on Religion and Novel ‘Lajja’ depicting atrocities on a Hindu family in Bangladesh, have antagonized fundamentalist quarters in this country,
The Sahaba Sainik Parishad, however, stuck to its demand for arrest and punishment of Nasreen and organized a successful strike in sylhet on Oct.9.
The Amnesty International urged the Bangladesh government to ensure on an urgent basis security of Nasreen and try those who threatened to kill her.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 22, 1993
