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New Bangladeshi Government Continues Injustice Against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

Dr. Richard L. Benkin - 6/30/2007

Shoaib had another day in court Thursday. The result was disappointing to say the least. After more assurances that this time justice would be done, the Bangladeshi government decided to do nothing—again! The court set another date for Shoaib, this time July 18th. More ominous than that, however, the Public Prosecutor stated his willingness to proceed with this scurrilous action against Shoaib—after everything the government has been telling individuals and international officials. The action only raises more questions about the new government's alleged anti-radical commitment. Every day that it maintains these charges, this “new” government looks more and more like its corrupt and radical-appeasing predecessors.

How much longer are we expected to maintain faith in government assurances? How much longer will an insensitive government's inaction allow the people of Bangladesh to suffer? How much longer are we to believe the government's statements that it is not beholden to radicals--when it maintains admittedly false charges brought by the now-discredited BNP-Jamaat government? A mountain of evidence has surfaced confirming that the charges were false, that the government knew them to be false, and that the government maintained them only to appease radical Islamists. Thus far, this government appears not to be free of radical influence. There are no more impediments to taking this long overdue action; yet, the government of Bangladesh obfuscates. In the United States, we have a saying: "Justice Delayed is Justice Denied." There is one question we can answer for the government. How much longer will Shoaib’s supporters fight for him? As long as it takes! And our patience is wearing thin.

In the coming month, we will be taking further action in support of justice, of Shoaib, of others oppressed by the Bangladeshi government; and against the radical Islamist threat. Please contact me for more information.