Justice For Rahela

To:  Government of The People's Republic of Bangladesh

To
His Excellency Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed
Chief Advisor
The Caretaker Government of The People's Republic of Bangladesh
Dhaka.

Subject: Death by torture & rape of garment worker Rahela Akhter Lima by Liton & his companions.

Sir,

We are writing to seek your expeditious intervention for a speedy trial and to protest the inhuman conditions in which Rahela Akhter Lima, a 19 years old garment worker was held by Liton and three of his friends which led to her death on 22nd September 2004, 33 days after she was raped and brutally tortured.

Rahela Akhter Lima, was mugged, gang raped and was stabbed several times in Savar in August 2004. Her brutally tortured body was abandoned in the bush by Jahangirnagar University, Savar. Two days later on 24th August, 2004 those criminals came back to check her body and found her alive. She begged of them drinking water but instead, they poured acid on her to confirm her death. But Rahela survived. Later Rahela’s raped, wounded, gangrenous body was rescued by Police.

After 33 days long battle for life Rahela died on 24th September 2004 at Dhaka medical college hospital. Needless to say, this inhuman and outrageous barbarism shocked the whole nation.

Main criminal Liton escaped arrest and is free till today.
Three of his alleged companions involved with the crime are freed on bail from high court.

As the unfortunate victim of this heinous crime was from a very poor socioeconomic condition, her family gave up fighting for justice as they could not afford. “Ayin o shalish kendra” in Dhaka, Bangladesh has been prosecuting Rahela murder case ever since. The case of this odious crime is in poor shape now; 29th October 2007 was last hearing date. Unfortunately none of the witnesses appeared on court on that day. Moreover, this case is experiencing number of difficulties!

For more details about Rahela murder case:-

Latest update of Rahela case (Bangla)
http://themanobii.blogspot.com/2007/11/blog-post_01.html

Channel -i News Report on Rahela:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoXNL-xijeg

Latest update of Rahela’s case (English)
“Will Rahela’s ever get Justice” New Age, 2 Nov 07
http://www.newagebd.com/2007/nov/02/fb.html

Rahela’s death news in 2004
http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/09/25/d40925011614.htm


We believe Caretaker Government of Bangladesh is serious about respect for human rights.
We urgently request Your Excellency to intervene and order the following measures immediately for a speedy trial:

•Order immediate arrest of main criminal Liton.
•Order for forensic evidences Rahela was carrying on her body at the time of her rescue.
•Provide security for all witnesses so they do not hesitate to attend the court for hearing.
•Order proper investigation and legal procedures in order to establish immediate justice via a speedy trial for Rahela & her family.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Justice For Rahela Petition to Government of The People's Republic of Bangladesh was created by and written by Manobi & Abdullah Al Mahbub (justice_must_prevail@yahoo.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.