Nari Shohingshotar Biruddhe Narira, a women鈥檚 platform against violence against women, in a statement on Friday condemned the detention process of model Meghna Alam saying that it was a gross violation of human rights.
The platform also said that the government relied on intimidation, deflection, misinformation, character assassination and misogynistic remarks to cover up its abduction of a woman without any warrant and without giving her a chance to defend herself.
鈥楾he Dhaka Metropolitan Police statement also mentioned that Meghna was posing 鈥渆conomic harm to the nation.鈥� We want to ask why and on what grounds? Did the state bow to threats of reprisal from the Saudi diplomat if it did not protect him?鈥� the statement read.
The platform rejected the government鈥檚 initial explanation which was also shared by the chief adviser鈥檚 press secretary that all legal procedures were followed during Meghna鈥檚 detention.
It demanded the repeal of the Special Powers Act and all other unjust laws used for legalised repression, an investigation into the incident and suspension of all those involved in the matter.
鈥榃e reject the state鈥檚 practice of using the law to create an environment of intimidation, fear and confusion,鈥� the statement added.
On Thursday, Meghna was shown arrested in a fraud and extortion case filed with the Dhanmondi police on April 15.
Earlier on the day, Meghna claimed to the court that she had relationship only with Saudi Arabian ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan.
Earlier in the evening of April 9, the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police detained Meghna from her residence in the Bashundhara residential area.
Next day, a Dhaka court ordered her to be detained in jail for 30 days under the Special Powers Act, 1974,.