Journo harassment: NHRC seeks explanation from secretary

The National Human Rights Commission has written to health services secretary seeking an explanation over the confinement and harassment of Prothom Alo Senior Correspondent Rozina Islam at the Secretariat.

In a statement on Tuesday, the commission’s chief Nasima Begum condemned the incident and described it as “inhumane”.

Also read - Court turns down plea to remand Prothom Alo journo Rozina Islam

“The commission condemns her confinement to the officer of the personal secretary to the health services division. According to media reports, the officials did not take any measures after she fell sick and held her for around five hours, which is inhumane,” she said.

The Commission has written to Health Services Secretary Lokman Hossain Miah seeking his explanation over the incident, according to the statement.

Also read - Prothom Alo journo Rozina Islam arrested in Official Secrets Act case

Health Ministry officials turned Rozina over to police on Monday after confining her at the office of Saiful Islam Bhuiyan, the personal secretary to health services division secretary. She was later sued under the Official Secrets Act and the Penal Code for ‘theft and photographing’ of official documents.

Also read - Rozina's family to file case against officials who harassed her

On Tuesday, a Dhaka court turned down police’s appeal to quiz Rozina in custody for five days.

She will be detained in jail until the next hearing of her bail petition on Thursday.

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