To the Honorable Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Federal Police, New South Wales Police Force, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Concerned Media Outlets,

We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the presence of Benazir Ahmed, the former Inspector General of Bangladesh Police, in Sydney. Benazir Ahmed has been implicated in serious allegations of corruption and human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances during his tenure as the Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Bangladesh.

Allegations Against Benazir Ahmed:

• Corruption:
  • The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh is investigating Benazir Ahmed for allegedly amassing wealth illegally. Reports indicate that he and his family own substantial properties and assets that far exceed their known sources of income.
  • A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of his properties and bank accounts due to these corruption allegations.

• Human Rights Violations:
  • During his tenure as the Director General of RAB, Benazir Ahmed has been accused of serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
  • In December 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on Benazir Ahmed and other RAB officials for their involvement in human rights abuses, including the killing of Teknaf City Municipal Councilor Ekramul Haque in 2018.

Despite these serious allegations and sanctions, Benazir Ahmed is currently residing in Sydney, Australia, without any apparent restrictions. We believe that his presence poses a potential risk and undermines the principles of justice and human rights.

Our Requests:
We urge the Australian Government and relevant authorities to take the following actions:

• Monitor Benazir Ahmed’s Activities: Ensure that his activities in Australia are closely monitored to prevent any potential harm or illegal activities.
• Investigate Allegations: Conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations against him, in collaboration with international human rights organizations and the United States.
• Consider Legal Actions: Evaluate the possibility of legal actions, including arrest or deportation, based on the findings of the investigation.

Addressed To:

• Minister for Home Affairs: Responsible for immigration and border protection.
• Minister for Foreign Affairs: Handles international relations and human rights issues.
• Australian Federal Police (AFP): Investigates and takes action on matters related to national security and serious crimes.
  New South Wales Police Force: Monitors and investigates local activities.
• Human Rights Watch (HRW): Investigates and reports on human rights abuses.
• Amnesty International: Advocates for human rights globally.
  Media Outlets: To bring attention to this issue and gather public support.

We believe that taking these steps is crucial to uphold justice and human rights. We call upon the Australian Government to act swiftly and decisively in this matter.

Sincerely,

Towhid Hussain

On Behalf of Shadheen Bangla Podcast