Lemkin Institute Protests Detention of Shahriar Kabir, Demands Immediate Release
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security has strongly condemned the continued detention of veteran Bangladeshi journalist and human rights defender Shahriar Kabir, calling it a serious violation of fundamental human rights and international law.
In a statement, the Institute urged Bangladeshi authorities to immediately release the 75-year-old writer and activist, stating that his arrest and detention are arbitrary and politically motivated. According to the Institute, Mr. Kabir was arrested without being informed of the charges against him and without due process, in clear violation of Bangladesh’s constitution and international human rights obligations.
The Lemkin Institute expressed deep concern over Mr. Kabir’s deteriorating health, noting that he is a wheelchair user suffering from multiple chronic illnesses and has been denied adequate medical care in detention. It also condemned the treatment he faced during court appearances, where he was subjected to verbal abuse, physical risk, and humiliation, while authorities failed to ensure his safety and dignity.
The Institute stated that Mr. Kabir’s detention is linked to his long-standing advocacy for secularism, human rights, and accountability, rather than any credible criminal conduct. It warned that the misuse of criminal law to silence dissent poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and democratic space in Bangladesh.
Calling the case a “grave miscarriage of justice,” the Lemkin Institute urged the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, to intervene immediately, ensure Mr. Kabir’s access to medical care, and uphold the rule of law and judicial independence.
