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Published : 13 Mar 2026, 02:52 PM
Some 70 individuals, including members of the British parliament, and 15 organisations from different countries have called for Shahriar Kabir, writer, researcher and president of the Advisory Board of the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, to be granted bail and to receive proper medical treatment.
Lord Rami Ranger, a member of the UK House of Lords, and Bob Blackman, a member of the House of Commons, have separately written to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressing their deep concern over the deteriorating health of the imprisoned Kabir.
In a separate letter to the prime minister from the organisation Genocide Watch, 68 representatives from various fields and 15 human rights organisations have echoed the same call.
Kabir was arrested in Dhaka’s Banani area on Sept 17 after the July Uprising. Later, the police showed him arrested in multiple cases connected to the July Uprising. Since then, the human rights activist and filmmaker has been in jail.
He was remanded and interrogated several times in connection with these cases. Although he has petitioned for bail several times, it has not been granted.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Lord Rami Ranger wrote, “According to the information I have received, Mr Kabir was arrested on 16 September 2024 on allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity. These accusations are deeply concerning, given Mr Kabir's long-standing public record of advocating for justice, human rights and accountability for international crimes. Throughout his life, he has been widely recognised as a prominent voice against atrocities, extremism and communal violence in all forms.
“I am particularly troubled by reports regarding his current health and prison conditions. Mr Kabir, who is wheelchair-dependent and suffers from serious medical conditions, has reportedly faced grave health challenges while in custody, including cardiac complications. It has also been reported that he has suffered multiple cardiac incidents during his detention and has not consistently received the medical care that his condition requires.”
He said, “Considering the seriousness of the situation and the humanitarian considerations involved, I respectfully urge your government to grant Mr Kabir immediate bail on medical grounds, and ensure that he receives full and timely access to appropriate medical treatment...”
The House of Lords member also called on the prime minister to reconsider the cases filed against Kabir and ensure a fair trial through due process in accordance with international standards.
In his letter, House of Commons Member Blackman wrote that he was also deeply concerned by reports of Kabir's deteriorating health.
Blackman says he has learned that Kabir has suffered several heart attacks in prison, lost "significant" weight, and is barely able to stand.
“Given the seriousness of the situation and the humanitarian considerations involved, I respectfully urge your government to grant Mr Kabir immediate bail and ensure that he receives full access to necessary medical treatment, including mobility assistance, such as a wheelchair, and appropriate hospital care.”
Blackman also called for a review of the cases against Kabir and for due process to be ensured.
Gregory H Stanton, Genocide Watch founding president, wrote in his letter: “We, the undersigned human rights and genocide prevention organisations, as well as individual human rights defenders and genocide scholars, write to express our serious concern regarding the continued detention and deteriorating health of Mr Shahriar Kabir, who is currently imprisoned in Dhaka Central Jail, Keraniganj.”
“The 75-year-old writer, journalist, filmmaker and human rights defender Mr Kabir is internationally renowned for his life-long commitment to the protection of religious and ethnic minorities, promotion of secular values and religious pluralism. He has authored numerous books and documentary films addressing issues of human rights, genocide accountability, and peace.”
The letter states that the allegations of multiple murders and crimes against humanity against Kabir have caused “deep concern” among international human rights groups and genocide researchers.
Genocide Watch also highlights that in October 2025, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention identified his detention as a “violation of international human rights law.”
The organisation and the signatories to the letter say they are particularly concerned about a report published on Kabir’s health in prison.
“We are particularly troubled by reports regarding his current health and prison conditions. Mr Kabir suffers from chronic illnesses. He has suffered two mini-strokes while in detention and uses a wheelchair. Reports indicate his health may be deteriorating rapidly and that prison conditions have worsened, including the denial of wheelchair access and proper medical care,” the letter says.
“We respectfully urge your government to grant Mr Kabir immediate bail on humanitarian grounds and ensure that he receives full access to necessary medical treatment, including mobility assistance such as a wheelchair, and proper hospital care.”
