Protest the arrest of Journalist and Blogger Tasneem Khalil

Hi all,

Just a quick note to update everybody to the arrest of Blogger Tasneem Khalil, who is also on the employ of the reputed Daily Star newspaper here in Bangladesh. Initial reports indicates, he was picked up from his residence by Intelligence agents of the Government sometimes after midnite last night (i.e. Friday 11th May, 2007), although the exact reason for his arrest is yet unknown at the time of filing of this report.

Suffice to say, Tasneem has always been a courageous journalist and he might have fallen foul of the law for a number of reports that he authored ~~ the most recent being for Human Rights Watch titled Judge, Jury, and Executioner:Torture and Extrajudicial Killings by Bangladesh’s Elite Security Force which details the performance of the Rapid Acion Battalion (RAB).

Meanwhwile Bloggers in Bangladesh and all over the world have joined in condemning the arrest of Tasneem and many have started mailing Western politicians and human rights groups to details his plight and ensure his release. While all of this happens, I am of the opinion that the case of Tasneem can be best served if a group of Bloggers get in touch directly with his employer The Daily Star and its Editor Mr. Mahfuz Anam, who I understand has clouts' with the military for it to 'see sense', as also contacts with the caretaker Government to ensure his speedy release.

As of 15:00 hours Bangladesh standard time no private TV channel seem to have picked up the news of Tasneems' arrest and it would make sense that some Bloggers call the Channels and ask them to do all that is humanely possible.

Since the arrest occued after midnite the print media has not yet picked up the story and hopefully tommorow, the journalist fraternity will wake up to Tasneems' plight.

I request everybody to do their best and importantly pray for Tasneem and his personal safety and security.

Truncated to this link are 3 filings/updates on Tasneems' arrest in BdOsints digital archive for ready reference.

Regards

Mac