Choudhury update


Terry and Lynne wrote this morning with news of Shoaib Choudhury, the Bangladeshi journalist on trial for blasphemy, sedition and treason.

You can read Terry's report on his blog at Transmontanus. He's been in contact with Choudhury and notes there is growing support for the journalist both within Bangladesh and internationally.

Lynne passed on a news release that two American congressmen, Republican Mark Kirk and Democrat Nita Lowey, have co-sponsored legislation calling for the Government of Bangladesh to drop all charges against Choudhury. The release came from Richard Benkin, who urged Americans to contact their Congressional Representatives in support of House Resolution 1080.

Terry says that here in Canada former justice minister Irwin Cotler has taken an interest in the case. He had no news about other Canadian politicians. I haven't heard yet from Peter MacKay, the current minister of international affairs, in response to my email last month.

Choudhury appeared in court Monday. Here's his account of what happened:

The Court picked up my case at 1:35 pm., and there was a hearing for around 10 minutes. The judge, Mohammed Momin Ullah asked the Public Prosecutor to read the charge in front of me. He came and read, "By praising the Jews and Christians, by attempting to travel to Israel and by predicting the so-called rise of Islamist millitancy in the country and expressing such through writings inside the country and abroad, you have tried to damage the image and relations of Bangladesh with the outside world. For which, charges under section 295-A, 120-A, 124-A, 105-A and 108-A are brought against you. Are you guilty or not?"

I replied, "I am not guilty." By advocating inter-faith dialogue, supporting relations between Bangladesh and Israel, I have not done anything wrong. Regarding the existence of Islamist radicals in this country, the matter is already endorsed several times by country's press, leaders, administration and judiciary.


The case was put over until January 22, when the prosecution is supposed to present its witnesses.

If convicted Choudhury could be sentenced to death.

Letter writing information is here. Please note that although the spelling has differed in various reports, the consensus now seems to be Choudhury, rather than Chaudhury.

You can write Choudhury himself care of his newspaper, the Blitz, at ediblitz@yahoo.com.

The online version of the Blitz is here.

Update: The day after posting the above I received the following:

Dear Mr. Monk:

Thank you for your email of October 14, 2006, regarding human rights abuses in Bangladesh, particularly the case of Mr. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.

Canada takes seriously the issue of human rights in Bangladesh. The Canadian government regularly presses the Government of Bangladesh to take more effective action against extremist violence, to uphold law and order, and to ensure the protection of human rights - including those of religious and minority groups. Please be assured that Canada will continue to raise its concerns, particularly in the lead up to the January 2007 national election in Bangladesh.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,

Peter G. MacKay

Minister of Foreign Affairs


Posted: Wed - November 15, 2006 at 12:44 PM          

©