April 20 2012 – Dear Prime Minister of Bangladesh,
As a world wide Union who have been involved in various campaigns with Bangladeshi garment Workers, we the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) are deeply shocked to learn of the torture and murder of Aminul Islam, a senior organiser for the Bangladesh Centre for Worker Solidarity (BCWS) and a local leader of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF).
We insist on an immediate full independent inquiry into this outrage, for the culprits to be brought to justice and for the government of Bangladesh to publicly report its findings.
We are concerned for the safety of other labour rights organisers in Bangladesh under this current cloud of terror, in particular Kalpona Akter as well as Babul Akhter and call for your government to take immediate measures to insure the safety of all Union leaders, Members and Activists.
We also insist that all the draconian charges against BCWS and BGIWF leaders and others who fight for Workers rights are dropped at once.
We will be watching for news on your findings into these grave matters.
Sincerely,
Andy Smith, International Solidarity Liaison Officer