A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 22 Para 15. Country Date 05/02/07 Type JUA Mandate WGAD; HRD; TOR Allegations transmitted magistrate’s cognizance court on 23 January 2007. The court remanded them both to prison. Mr. Amanullah (alias Aman), aged 40 , who was arrested together with Mr. Gafur and Mr. Dev, died in army custody on 18 January 2007 due to severe injuries inflicted upon him before he arrived at Paikguchha Hospital. Army officers pressed medical doctors at the hospital to declare that Mr. Amanullah died of natural causes. The police of Paikgachha are investigating the case. Shahidul Islam, the executive director of Uttaran, a non-governmental organization which promotes the rights of landless people in the Satkhira region. Mr. Islam has also been involved in campaigning against the Khulna Jessore Drainage Rehabilitation Project (KJDRP) project. On the morning of 27 January 2007, he was apprehended by military personnel at the Uttaran training centre in Tala Upazila. He was then escorted to a joint forces interrogation cell where he was beaten all over his body before being transferred to Tala Police Station later that afternoon. As a result of the beating, he suffered a broken toe among other injuries. He was taken to a prison hospital and later to a general hospital in Satkhira district town. On 28 January 2007, he was ordered to remain in detention for one month under the Special Powers Act, which provides for the detention of individuals who might commit prejudicial acts against the State. However, no official charges have been brought against him. Mr. Shahidul Islam has not had access to his family or lawyers since his arrest. Government response By letter dated 14/05/07, the Government informed that on 27 January 2007, he was arrested by the security joint forces and taken to Tala Joint Forces camp. He was interrogated there as per existing procedures and subsequently hander over to Tala Police Station. The allegation of torture was thoroughly rejected. As some of Mr. Islam’s activities went against the interest of public safety, security and peaceful environment, the learned court of Satkhira ordered one month’s detention under the Special Powers Act 1974 since the date of his apprehension. The case is under investigation now and Mr. Islam has full access to seek legal recourse.