Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk:Eleven Nobel laureates, including Desmond Tutu and Tawakkol Karman, and 17 other eminent global citizens have signed a statement appealing for the immediate and unconditional release of photographer Shahidul Alam.
They also demanded the release of all students who have been arrested after the protest and urged the Bangladesh government to ensure human rights of all citizens, reports BBC Bangla.
Among the signatories are, 1984 Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Tawakkol Karman, 1976 Nobel Peace Laureate Máiread Maguire, 1976 Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams, 1987 Nobel Peace Laureate Oscar Arias, 1993 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Sir Richard J. Roberts, 1996 Nobel Peace Laureate José Ramos-Horta, 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams, 2003 Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi, 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee.
“Two weeks ago, in Bangladesh, high school students came out in the streets to register their spontaneous protest about the death of two school-going students caused by speeding buses. They demanded their right to road safety, rule of law and justice,” the statement read.
The statement also expressed concern over the arrest of Shahidul Alam and said: “We the undersigned raise our joint voice against arbitrary police remand under the draconian ICT Act against Dr Shahidul Alam. We urge that the Government investigate allegations of unlawful arrest immediately and unconditionally release Dr Shahidul Alam.”
“We also urge that the government immediately release all students who have been arrested after the protest and take every step to ensure human rights of all citizens, including freedom of speech, freedom of media and freedom of association for all,” the statement added.
