Factory investigator in Bangladesh arrested

Monday, 28 January 2008 15:41

UPDATE: Mehedi Hasan was released from detention on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to everyone who took action to help secure this outcome. We continue to have serious concerns about other labour rights defenders in Bangladesh, so check back here later for more actions.

Labour Behind the Label is calling for support in securing the release of Mehedi Hasan, a field investigator for the Washington D.C.-based Worker Rights Consortium, who was arrested on Thursday 24th January by the Bangladesh security forces.

Mr. Hasan has been held in detention at a police station in Dhaka, where authorities have refused to let his family visit. We have serious concerns for his safety and are asking for urgent messages to be sent to the Bangladesh authorities calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

Hasan’s arrest takes place in a context of severe repression by the military-backed “caretaker” government.  Since January 12, 2007 the government has banned political and trade union activities.  Both Bangladeshi and foreign labor rights advocates have been put under surveillance, interrogated and detained. We are also extremely concerned aobut the safety of other Bangladesh labour rights advocates, who we believe may also be at risk of arrest under the current emergency laws.