Act NowMr Akhter, along with fellow BCWS leader, Ms Kalpona Akter, was detained by the Bangladeshi government on August 13 on fabricated criminal charges for "incitement" of workers in relation to recent unrest in Bangladesh's export apparel sector.
On the night of August 28, 2010, Akhter, who had been remanded for interrogation to a police station in the Ashulia industrial area, a centre of export garment production, was physically assaulted by several non-uniformed persons who entered his holding cell, blindfolded him, and beat him with a thick wooden stick, inflicting injuries on his leg, hip and groin. His assailants reportedly also made threats that Akhter would be taken from the police station and shot by police during a staged incident.
In light of this alarming development, which is only the latest incident in the ongoing persecution by Bangladeshi authorities of Akhter and Kalpona Akter (no relation), we are reinterating our call to the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and apparel brands sourcing from Bangladesh to secure their immediate release, the withdrawal of all criminal charges, and an end to all other interference
with their lawful activities as labor rights advocates for Bangladeshi garment workers.
Take action now! click on the Act now button above to send a message to the Bangladesh government to release the two leaders and end repression against labour activists in Bangladesh
