Identify culprits, ensure punishment

South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, through a press statement yesterday expressed deep concern over the alleged assault targeting environmentalist Syeda Rizwana Hasan and her team in the Akbarashah area in Chattorgram on January 23.

Rizwana, the chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), and her team including Aliur Rahman, an environment journalist, were allegedly attacked by the followers of Jahurul Islam alias Jashim, a councillor of Uttar Pahartali ward, under Chattorgram City Corporation on that very day, it mentioned.

The statement, signed by SAHR's co-chairperson Dr Roshmi Goswami and bureau member Dr P Saravanamuttu, urged the government to ensure an independent impartial and prompt investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure reparations for those affected.

The organisation also called on the authorities to guarantee that environmental activists are able to carry out their work freely and without interference or harassment, given the crucial importance of such work in ensuring climate justice, and the survival of the people of Bangladesh.

It also urged the government to respect its obligation to protect rights defenders as well as the rights and freedoms of the people enshrined in the constitution.