CAGE International Demands Release of Jasimuddin Rahmani Amid Prison Shootings

CAGE International renewes its call for the immediate release of Jasimuddin Rahmani, a forcibly disappeared scholar, and the release of all political prisoners in Bangladesh. This comes after reports that guards opened fire on prisoners at Kashimpur High Security Jail on Wednesday, 7th August, which resulted in multiple deaths. Rahmani is believed to be held at this facility.

On Tuesday, 6th August, supporters and protesters caught a rare glimpse of Rahmani at Kashimpur High Security Jail, where he was being detained on trumped-up charges. A significant number of those held at Kashimpur are political prisoners, arbitrarily detained by the Hasina regime.
In January 2024, CAGE International issued a statement urging Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies to confirm whether they are holding Rahmani, and demanded his immediate release and access to legal representation.

Following the popular uprising and the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, it is now crucial that political prisoners are released immediately and that comprehensive judicial reforms are implemented in Bangladesh.

Profile: Jasimuddin Rahmani 

Background

Jasimuddin Rahmani’s journey began in the Islamic institutions of Barguna city. He pursued advanced studies at the prestigious Jamia Rahmaniya Madrasa in Dhaka and continued his education in Deoband, India. During Hajj pilgrimages, he expanded his knowledge under Arab scholars. Rahmani taught at various madrasas and served as a khatib in numerous mosques. He also established the Markazul Uloom Al Islamia madrasa and mosque, dedicating himself to spreading the teachings of Islam.

Arrest and Imprisonment

In August 2013, during a period of heightened social and political unrest in Bangladesh, Rahmani was arrested on charges related to the murder of a blogger, Rajib Haider, known as 'Thaba Baba'. This arrest occurred amid rising tensions between religious and ideological factions in the country. Rahmani was accused of conspiring in Haider’s murder—a charge many believe was intended to stifle his vocal advocacy for Islam and silence dissenting voices.

Despite being acquitted in two of the multiple cases filed against him and granted bail for three out of four charges, Rahmani remained incarcerated in Kashimpur High Security Jail. His continued detention, despite widespread belief in his innocence and the inconsistencies in the allegations, highlights a broader pattern of political suppression under Hasina’s government.

The Need for Immediate Action

With the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. The student uprising that led to her resignation offers an opportunity to rectify past wrongs and establish a fairer judicial system. The case of Jasimuddin Rahmani is emblematic of the many political prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained, often based on confessions obtained under torture—a practice that must be unequivocally condemned and discontinued.

For Rahmani and others like him, the path to justice is clear. The interim government must prioritise the release of those who have been forcibly disappeared and detained without due process. All evidence and charges stemming from coercive confessions should be invalidated, and the cases against these individuals must be thoroughly reviewed by an impartial commission.

Furthermore, the government must commit to full transparency and accountability, particularly regarding the actions of judges and law enforcement officials who facilitated these unjust detentions. Those complicit in human rights abuses must be prosecuted, and the laws that enabled such oppression, including Article 164, should be repealed to ensure equality before the law.

Bangladesh now has a chance to set a new course towards peace and justice. The immediate release of Jasimuddin Rahmani and others unjustly detained is a crucial step in this journey. The world watches as Bangladesh navigates this pivotal transition, hoping for a future where justice prevails and the dignity of every citizen is upheld.