Some eminent citizens of the country including teachers, lawyers, journalists and human rights activists have issued a written protest against BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi's statement regarding noted human rights activist Sultana Kamal.
"Such verbal abuse by Rizvi towards Sultana Kamal is against dignity and violates a person's rights. Terming Kamal as an 'activist for Awami League's rights' portrays Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) stance on human rights," reads a press release.
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The release added that Rizvi not only insulted Kamal but also demeaned respected intellectuals like Muntassir Mamoon and Shahriar Kabir.
"Rizvi's statement regarding historian Muntassir Mamoon and writer Shahriar Kabir is totally unacceptable. We strongly condemn such vicious personal attacks," added the release.
On October 2, Sultana Kamal was quoted by India Today on the human rights situation in Bangladesh.
On October 5, Rizvi questioned Kamal's response, saying that she talked like an activist for the ruling Awami League who is "blind to the gross human rights violations" taking place in the country.
"Where was Sultana Kamal when BNP-Jubo Dal activists were killed in Bhola, Jashore, Munshiganj and Narayanganj? You did not protest, what kind of human rights activist are you? You want fascist Awami League to be in power, you're working to this end," Rizvi said.
Rizvi also came down heavily on Mamoon and Kabir, accusing them of spreading propaganda against BNP abroad.
Among the signatories on the written statement are Prof Misbah Kamal, Prof Sadika Halim, Advocate Rana Dasgupta and Khushi Kabir.
