Bersih 2.0 demands explanation on detention of Bangladesh human right advocate

PETALING JAYA: Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 has called on the Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali and the Home Ministry to explain their reasons for detaining Bangladesh human right advocate Adilur Rahman Khan, early today.
"At approximately 4am this morning, Adilur was detained by Immigration authorities at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he tried to enter the country to attend a conference on 'The Abolition of the Death Penalty in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific', organised by the Anti Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN), Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) and the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)," its steering committee said in a statement.
Calling for Adilur's immediate and unconditional release, Bersih 2.0 said his current detention is an embarrassment to the country on the world stage.
"Given his recognised dedication to the promotion of human rights and democracy, such an individual should be welcomed to share his experiences and knowledge, instead of being treated as a threat to national security.
"Enquiries to the Immigration on his detention have been referred to Bukit Aman.
"As a fellow laureate of the May 18 Foundation Gwangju Award, Bersih 2.0 is extremely concerned about the treatment of an internationally-renowned human rights defender at the hands of Malaysian authorities," it added.
Adilur is an advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, a former deputy attorney-general for Bangladesh and a founder of the human rights organisation Odhikar.
In addition to being a recipient of the May 18 Foundation Gwangju Prize for Human Rights and the International Bar Association (IBA) Human Rights Award, he has been a finalist for the Martin Ennals Awards for Human Rights Defenders and the Front Line Defenders Award.