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Published : 04 Jun 2026, 07:39 PM
A New South Wales upper house MP has expressed concerns over the detention of former Bangladeshi MP Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman and his cases, citing broader human rights issues in Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Suman's legal team said the issue was discussed in the New South Wales Parliament on Wednesday.
The lawyers played a video of a speech delivered by New South Wales upper house member Stephen Lawrence during the parliamentary discussion.
In the speech, Lawrence said members of the Bangladeshi-Australian community in Dubbo had approached him with concerns about a criminal case involving former Bangladeshi MP and lawyer Barrister Suman.
“I am told that Barrister Suman has been a strong voice against corruption, injustice and abuse of power and that he was arrested during the interim government period under Dr Yunus's administration because of his outspoken position and political activism,” Lawrence said.
Suman was arrested during the tenure of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and remains in prison.
“Until recently, Barrister Suman's bail applications were rejected, and he has been held in remand for a very long time,” he said.
He also referred to international concerns over allegations of politically motivated arrests, mistreatment of detainees, and deaths in custody linked to inadequate medical care in Bangladesh.
Speaking outside the Supreme Court Annex Building, lawyer Liton Ahmed said concerns over “politically motivated cases” filed since Aug 5, 2024, had spread beyond Bangladesh.
“Members of the Bangladeshi community in Australia raised the matter with their parliament. As a result, international attention is growing and the country's image is being affected,” he said.
According to the lawyers, a case was filed against Suman over an incident in Habiganj’s Chunarughat on Jul 5, 2024.
After a district court rejected his bail petition, the plea proceeded to the High Court, which issued a ruling.
