Bangladesh: Statement by the Spokesperson on the sentencing of the secretary and director of the NGO Odhikar

On 14 September, in Dhaka, the Cyber Tribunal sentenced Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of NGO Odhikar, and A S M Nasiruddin, director of the organisation, to two years of imprisonment on charges under the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006. They were subsequently detained in custody. 

The EU has followed the Odhikar case closely and has repeatedly raised with the Bangladeshi authorities the need for due process for Odhikar’s leadership. The EU has also expressed its concern about the deregistration of Odhikar, which has made it excessively difficult for the organisation to function.

The EU calls on the Government of Bangladesh to foster an enabling environment for civil society to carry out their work without fear of reprisals. Freedom of expression, freedom of association and a vibrant civil society are essential in a democratic society.