Two years and twenty three black days of injustice Set Khaleda Zia Free
Sunday, March 1, 2020, marks the two years and twenty three black days of BNP Chairperson and former three times PM innocent Begum Khaleda Zia’s unjust solitary imprisonment at a hundred years old abandoned haunted jail house in a baseless case.
Thursday, February 8, 2018, the current autocratic regime without people’s mandate, kept Begum Khaleda Zia in confinement in a government dictated verdict. This reverend politician also didn’t get bail, apt medical and other facilities that even common people normally get.
This is an ill designed treatment by this brutal and the most corrupt government to bar Begum Khaleda Zia from participating in political and democratic activities.
She had been physically and mentally active when she was taken to solitary confinement. Because of the mental torture and inhuman behavior and lack of proper treatment, she is now in a cripple state.
She has been kept in a tiny dark room at a government hospital. The room isn’t equipped with necessary medical facilities and services at all.
On Feb 5, 2020, a report on Khaleda Zia’s deteriorating health condition was published in the daily Manabzamin. It says —
“With soar on her back, pains in the hands and legs, Khaleda Zia has been suffering severe trouble. She can’t sit on herself, let alone walk to the washroom. She can’t eat anything, has been suffering whole evenings and nights from breathing difficulties.”
A medical board on Dec 11, 2019, told the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court —
“[rheumatoid arthritis] is highly active with advanced deformities and marked functional decline.”
“Mrs. Zia’s rheumatoid arthritis is highly active and has caused damage to multiple joints. Both knees have been replaced earlier. As a result of combined active disease and accompanied damage she is, at present, at a crippled state and largely dependent on assistance for her day-to-day activities,”
On Tuesday, Feb 11, 2020, after meeting Khaleda Zia at hospital her elder sister Selima Islam told the reporters —
Khaleda Zia’s condition deteriorates further. She cannot speak because of breathing difficulties. Her left hand is bent completely while the right one is also now getting bent. She can’t walk as her legs are also getting bent. She is unable to eat due to vomiting problems as she is suffering from fever and serious pains in her body, and her diabetic problem also remains beyond control. She urgently needs emergency advanced treatment.
Mizanur Rahman Khan — a prominent legal and political analyst and joint Editor of the daily Prothom Alo wrote in his column in the paper —
Getting advanced medical services and facilities is Khaleda Zia’s fundamental rights. It’s not a matter of mercy from the state… Law of the land clearly says, women, particularly senior and sick, will get priority to avail bail.
Amnesty International on Dec 19, 2019, calls on Bangladesh government —
“Guarantee access to health care and fair trial rights to detained former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia accordance with the UN standard minimum rules on the treatment of prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules).”
People from all across the country and global arena, have been demanding to end this ongoing injustice to the nation’s uncompromising leader for democracy and development, the first woman prime minister and a senior politician, without further delay.
Set Khaleda Zia Free