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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin Fahey: 202-835-8760
Fahey@religionandpolicy.org

Bangladesh Government Places UN Special Rapporteur for Trafficking Under Equivalent of House Arrest

Trafficking Representative Not Allowed to Fulfill Responsibilities, Travel

Washington, D.C. - Sigma Huda - United Nations Special Rapporteur on
trafficking in persons , especially in women and children - has been told
by the Government of Bangladesh that she is not permitted to travel abroad
on the grounds of being a "security risk for Bangladesh as she may give
statements detrimental to this Government."

"The detention of Ms. Huda within Bangladesh is a denial by the Government
of Bangladesh of her inalienable right to freedom of movement and a direct
attack on both the Principles and the institution of the United Nations
Organization," commented In stitute on Religion and Public Policy President
Joseph K. Grieboski. "Denying Ms. Huda the right to travel undermines her
capacity to fulfill her duties as Special Rapporteur and violates her
immunity under the United Nations Convention
on Privileges and Immunities, Article 22, Section 6."

Following the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, ending
April 23, 2004, Ms. Huda was appointed as Special Rapporteur on Trafficking
in Persons, Especially Women and Children. In the discharge of her mandate,
the Special Rapporteur: a) Takes action on violations committed against
trafficked persons and on situations in which there has been a failure to
protect their human rights; b) Undertakes country visits in order to study
the situation in situ and formulate recommendations to prevent and or
combat trafficking and protect the human rights of its victims in specific
countries and/or regions; c) Submits annual reports on the activities of
the mandate.

Despite having a High Court order permitting her to attend the United
Nations in New York at the Permanent Forum for Indigenous People and the
Human Rights Council Session, her official mission visit to Belarus and her
attendance at a conference in Lund, Sweden, she was denied exit from
Bangladesh by airport authorities under questionable pretenses. On her
fourth attempt to depart the country, she was informed of an order by the
Chief Justice restraining her for an unlimited period from leaving the
country as she is a "security risk."
She appeared before the Chief Justice
requesting permission to go abroad to complete her work but was ultimately denied."

"Sigma Huda represents the pinnacle of global public service, advocating on
behalf of the voiceless and the exploited," continued Mr. Grieboski. "Her
illegal and unjust treatment at the hands of the Bangladesh Caretaker
Government is a crime against her fundamental rights, a crime against her
constitutional rights, and a crime against all those who fight for the
victimized and exploited women and children around the world."

The Institute on Religion and Public Policy calls on United Nations
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, President George W. Bush, and all European
leaders - especially those gathering in Heiligendamm, Germany, for the G8
meeting - to press the caretaker government of Bangladesh to permit Ms.
Huda to carry out her duties as responsibilities as United Nations Special
Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children.




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