WHY ARE WE BOYCOTTING BANGLADESH?
[originally posted July 7, 2007]
Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is a Muslim journalist, publisher, author and peace activist who resides in Bangladesh, a persistent and outspoken opponent of the radical Islamists and advocate of human and religious rights.
Shoaib was arrested in 2003 after writing articles exposing the rise of radical Islam in Bangladesh and its insidious spread through Muslim madrassas. He also urged Israel and Bangladesh relations as well as interfaith dialogue based on mutual respect. He was arrested as he was about to board a plane to address a writers group in Israel - on the media’s role in building a culture of peace. No charges were brought against him as he was imprisoned for 17 months. He was tortured and denied medical treatment. His family was attacked, his newspaper suspended, his home and office ransacked, and the government conducted a smear campaign against him.
He was then charged with treason, sedition and blasphemy, charges which carry a possible death sentence.
Dr. Richard Benkin, in the U.S., worked tirelessly for Shoaib Choudhury’s release. He found a friend in Congressman Mark Kirk. They had intense meetings with the Bangladeshi ambassador Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, during which the ambassador admitted the charges against Shoaib were false. As a result of these meetings Bangladesh released Shoaib Choudhury and promised to drop all charges against him. Shoaib was released, but the Bangladeshi government reneged on its promise and upheld its false charges against him. Shoaib has since been on trial which carries a possible death sentence.
Shoaib had another day in court on June 28, 2007. The result was disappointing to say the least. After more assurances that this time justice would be done, the Bangladeshi government decided to do nothing—again! The court set another date for Shoaib, this time July 18th. More ominous than that, however, the Public Prosecutor stated his willingness to proceed with this scurrilous action against Shoaib—after everything the government has been telling individuals and international officials. The action only raises more questions about the new government’s alleged anti-radical commitment. Every day that it maintains these charges, this “new” government looks more and more like its corrupt and radical-appeasing predecessors.
Mr. Choudhury has been offered asylum in the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Denmark. He declined, stating there was no honor in surrender, and that “Bangladesh is my country. Let the radical Islamists leave.”
Mr. Choudhury received the Bangladesh Lokgeeti Shilpi Goshthi COURAGEOUS JOURNALISM AWARD 2005, PEN USA, FREEDOM TO WRITE AWARD 2005, the American Jewish Committee, MORAL COURAGE AWARD-2006, the Bangladesh Minority Lawyer’s Association MORAL COURAGE AWARD 2006, and the Jasimuddin Memorial AWARD FOR JOURNALISM, April, 2007.
U.S. House Resolution 64, passed (409-1) in March 2007, states, in part: “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Bangladesh should immediately drop all pending charges against Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury. Whereas Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is a Bangladeshi journalist who, because of his beliefs in interfaith dialogue between Jews and Muslims and criticism of Islamic extremism, is on trial for sedition, an offense punishable by death;…” Click here to read it.
The Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, Chicago Tribune, The New York Times and The New York Post; The Australian, The Globe and Mail, The Jerusalem Post, The Guardian, The Kuwait Times all wrote articles in support of Shoaib.
The European Parliament also issued a Resolution in support of Mr. Choudhury. Click here to read it.
So did the Australian Senate. Click here to read it.
Bangladesh is now on its most important crossroads: will it become yet another terrorist state, or will it join the family of nations which promote peace and prosperity for its citizens and a source of pride to the world?
Shoaib Choudhury’s numerous supporters all over the world are demanding that the Bangladesh government drop all charges against him. Shoaib’s supporters among lawmakers in most countries on which the Bangladeshi economy relies - United States, Canada, Australia, many European nations, and some in Asia - have called publicly for the case to be dropped.
One of Bangladesh’s most important goals is attain free trade agreements (FTAs). The U.S. has an FTA with garment producing countries of Latin America and is buying an increasing number of garment imports from giants India and China. The only way Bangladesh can compete in the long term is with the advantages of tariff relief. A few months ago, a bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would give them a modicum of that. SB652 is something of a consolation prize for nations without an FTA because it offers them some relief. But SB652 is terminally stalled in committee with no prospect of moving forward largely because of Bangladeshi obstinacy on Shoaib’s case.
We will boycott all Bangladeshi products and services - world-wide - until Bangladesh drops all charges against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.
Below is a list of known buyers of Bangladeshi products. Other lists of influential people and organizations will be added below. Please write them. You can use the text above in your letter. Demand boycott of all Bangladeshi goods and services until all charges against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury are dropped.
If you know of any other buyers of Bangladeshi products in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, etc., please write me and I will add them to the list.
BUYERS OF BANGLADESHI GOODS AND SERVICES:
UNITED STATES:
WAL-MART, INC.
H. Lee Scott, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 S.W. 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716
USA
Phone: 479-273-4000
Bob Walton
Chairman
Board of Directors
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 S.W. 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716
USA
Phone: 479-273-4000
For Arkansas residents:
Wal-Mart is located in Arkansas’ 3rd congressional district: John Boozman (R)
(Congressman Boozman spoke strongly in favor of HR64 on behalf of Shoaib)
Senators: Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D)
THE GAP, INC.
Glenn K. Murphy
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Gap, Inc.
Two Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
USA
Phone: 650-952-4400
For California residents:
The Gap is located in California’s 8th congressional district: Nancy Pelosi (D)
Senators Diane Feinstein (D) and Barbara Boxer (D)
NIKE, INC.
Philip H. Knight
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Nike World Headquarters
One Bowerman Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005-6453
USA
Phone: 1-800-344-6453
Mark Parker, President & Chief Executive Officer
Nike, Inc.
One Bowerman Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005-6453
USA
Phone: 1-800-344-6453
For Oregon residents:
Nike is located in Oregon’s 1st congressional district: David Wu (D)
Senators: Ron Wyden (D) and Gordon Smith (R)
(Senator Smith is the originator of Senate Bill 652.)
VF CORPORATION
Mackey J. McDonald
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
VF Corporation
105 Corporate Center Blvd.
Greensboro NC 27408
USA
Phone: 336-424-6000
Eric C. Wiseman
Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer
VF Corporation
105 Corporate Center Blvd.
Greensboro NC 27408
USA
Phone: 336-424-6000
For North Carolina residents:
VF Corporation is located in North Carolina’s 6th congressional district: Howard Coble (R)
Senators Elizabeth Dole (R) and Richard Burr (R)
PHILLIPS-VAN HEUSEN CORPORATION
Emanuel Chirico
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
USA
Phone: 212-381-3500
For New York residents:
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation is located in New York’s 14th congressional district: Carolyn B. Maloney (D)
Senators: Charles Shumer (D) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)
BANGLADESH’S MINISTRY OF COMMERCE EXPORT PROMOTION BUREAU:
http://www.epb.gov.bd/export_related_org.html
BANGLADESH GARMENT MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTS ASSOCIATION:
http://www.bgmea.com
To leave your thoughts:
Please click on the word “Comments” below, and scroll to the bottom of the page. (If “Comments” isn’t visible, just scroll down to “Leave a Reply”.)
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Dishonoring their own country, Bangladeshi officials make themselves look like fools in front of the entire world. Prosecuting this decent and good man is a disgrace.
Bangladeshi Muslims must be so afraid of the non-Islamic World that a journalist attending a conference in Israel threatens them. Then they “make up” charges to enforce their limited beliefs. If this is justice in Bangladesh a worldwide boycott is certainly in order.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:21 am
This is terrible that civilized people can conduct themselves in this way. I will faithfully check every tag on merchandise I buy to make sure I do not purchase anything made in Bangladesh
August 12th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Which British firms buy goods from Bangladesh? Without this knowledge people can unwittingly support Bangladesh
August 12th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I think that if corporate America or in my case true moderate Muslim Canadians really feel that Shoaib should be free then we should boycott Bangladesh and send strong messages to our governments to put economic sanctions on Bangladesh. But I feel this will never happen. Governments only speak from two sides of their mouth. I am now making a conscientious effort not to purchase or support any Bangladeshi products or political issues unless it support freedom. This goes to show how the Islamist right is always promoting evil. Where are those moderate muslims in America and Canada?
August 12th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
When the criminals have taken over, all peace loving people are at risk. Release Shoaib Choudhury or expect your economy to end up going down the drain.
When Bangladesh was being oppressed and George Harrison of the Beatles organized the concerts to save the Bangladesh people. We didn’t do that so that Bangladesh could, in turn, become an oppressor.
Listen well, you Government of Bangladesh: This is still in it’s peaceful stage, end it now and release Shoaib Choudhury. You can not resist economic preasure. We could turn this into a media circus very easily, but, if we do, there is no turning back short of the release of Shoaib Choudhury in good condition, and then we’ll dicuss reparations to Mr. Choudry for false prosecution and unlawfull imprisonment.
Remember, heed and hear.
Ari Blumenfeld
August 12th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Roberta: we agree. Thanks for your comment and support.
George: much appreciate your checking for Bangladeshi-produced merchandise. Please let me know which stores stock these items so I can add them to the list.
Laura: I have yet been unable to identify the British buyers of Bangladeshi products. I’ll post them as soon as I find out. Thank you for your support.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Anonymous: I applaud your ability to evaluate issues and people for what and who they really are. Your willingness to speak up gives us all hope for a better, more peaceful world.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Ari: Thank you for your support. I didn’t know that the Beatles organized concerts for Bangladesh. I find it ironic that the Bangladeshi government considers it a crime to espouse dialogue with Israel when Israel was the first to recognize Bangladesh’s independence (hours after Bangladesh declared it) and has offered assistance after the last major earthquake in Bangladesh.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:44 am
What a shame when a man loving and promoting peace and understanding amonh human beings of all faiths is prosecutes as if he were a criminal.
Real criminal and fouls are those who prosecute him and I’m afraid they’ll be condemned by men and by God Himself.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Agreed, Anthony. Thank you for your support.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Bangladesh leaders are fools’ thugs ,worse then animals. If Shoaib can get out ,I think he should. I will not buy anything made in that country. Nels Hollo
August 13th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Thanks Nels.
Shoaib was offered asylum in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Sweden and Denmark, but he refused, saying: “This is my country. Let the Islamists leave.”
Thanks much for your support.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
21/08
HOW VERY SAD. . MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO ALOT OF EXPLAINING WHEN THEY GET TO THE HEVENLY COURT. IS THIS WHAT GOD WANTS!
PEACE TO ALL MANKIND … HA . MANY MUSLIMS REALLY NEED TO TAKE A DEEP LOOK INTO THEIR SOULS.
August 24th, 2008 at 9:38 am
WHAT A HATE! I WONDER NOT MANKIND.
GOD WILL MAKE JUDGEMENT NOT A MAN. ALL MEN ARE EQUAL IN HIS EMAGE. WHAT HAPPENENED TO TREAT ALL MEN EQUAL? THESE POEPLE HAVE GOT IT BACKWARDS.
THIS MAN HERE IS A TRUE VICTIM OF RELIGIOUS BELIEVES GONE BAD. HE IS THE MEEK ONE. HE WILL BE REWARDED BY THE TRUE GOD. CKF SAN JOSE, CA.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:47 am
APPEAL FOR JUSTICE TO SAVE FROM OPPRESSIVE LAWS
Dear Sir
From 1972 after independent many of the Bangladeshi Citizens started to Established Industries investing family resources & adopting innovative technology as self earner & to create job opportunity for million of unemployed person and to achieve economic freedom. And Government also started to help these growing PRIVATE SECTOR INDUSTRIES having fund from International Loan giving Agencies, through different Bank. From 1989.
But the Industrial Entrepreneurs becomes victims of deep rooted conspiracy .The Bank Official refrain themselves from ascertaining production capacity of imported machineries and to provide required working capital loan in time extending total non-cooperation, negligence or even to receive back their money if any Entrepreneur decided to pay back the loan amount..
Due to Such conspiracy & negligence’s , Non Banking Activities of Bank Official & Policy Maker, most of the these Industries became inoperative & have lost their Cash Capital, Expatriate Capabilities, and helpless victims of such deep rooted conspiracy having similarity to :
HISTORY WHICH REMIND US THAT THE HANDS OF THE TECHNICIAN OF MUSLIN FABRICS “ ,THE FINEST QUALITY FABRICS WHICH WERE EVER MADE IN BENGAL ONLY “ WERE CUT DOWN BY THE THEN COLONIAL RULER OF UNDIVIDED INDIA.”
In 1992 &1996 the Sick Industries Rehabilitation Cell were formed by GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH & have Identified and Registered these Industries as SICK INDUSTRIES declaring not as defaulter but victims of Violation of Contract, Negligence, Fraudulent Activities, Malpractices of Bank Officials including Policy Maker due to lack of Accountability .which are no more hidden matter . But unfortunately the SICK INDUSTRIES REHABILITATION CELL has are now closed. & have no power to help Industries of private sector
Industrial Entrepreneur of Bangladesh are completely deprive of Legal Right due to enactment of BANK RUPTCY ACT of 1997 and ARTHA RIN ACT of 1989 which were amended on 2003 and 2007 treating the INDUSTRIAL ENTRPRENEURS OF PRIVATE SECTOR as like as SLAVE of Primitive Age.
But these laws are not applicable in Nationalized Sector where Billions of Dollar are invested with no result.
LAW OF TORT MOST COMMON LAW even in neighboring countries not to speak of USA , EUROPE or AUSTRALIA, BUT NOT APPLICABLE IN BANGLESH YET DUE TO WHICH BANGLADESH HAS BECOME A HEAVEN FOR REPRESSION / EXPLOITATION BY BANK OFFICIAL AND POLICY MAKER.
The Owner of Industries under Private Sector can not CLAIM ANY COMPENSATION OR SET OPF on the Suit filed by the Bank Official or Loan Giving Agencies FOR VIOLATION OF CONTRACT, NEGLEGIENCES, MALPRACTICES, including fraudulent activities As a result NUMBER OF SICK / DISTRESSED Industries are increasing in Every Year due to lack of accountability of Bank Official / policy maker due to restriction as per SECTION NO 18 ( 2) & ( 3 ) of ARTHA RIN ACT of 2003 Bank Official / Loan Giving Agencies have been allowed total indemnity in all respect . These have been done to hide out existing high profile malpractices and corruption as per opinion of Expert Personals at organizational level .
Industrial Entrepreneur have no legal right to protect themselves from the oppression of Bank Official & Policy Maker which are no more hidden matter rather a part of deep rooted conspiracy till date
Bank official have given absolute Indemnity for Violation of Contract , Negligence Malpractices & Fraudulent Activities Industrial Entrepreneurs can file a separate suit for compensation in separate civil Court creating more complicacy for life long litigation WITH OF NO RESULT due to restriction to obstruct or resist any order / decree of ARTHA RIN ACT / COURT by any other DECREE OR ORDER OF OTHER COURT or even of by HIGHER COURT THE RIGHT OF EQUITY OF LAW HAVE COMPLETELY BEEN DENIED TO THE INDUSTRIAL ENTREPRENEUR OF PRIVATE SECTOR as per Section 12, 12 ( khan ) 18 ( 2 ) & (3 ) 19, 20, 21, 34,40, 41, 42, 44, 47 and 50 of ARTHA RIN ACT. WHICH ARE COMMONLY KNOWN AS OPPRESSIVE LAW and direct violation of ARTICLE NO : 8, 15, 26 and 27 of BANGLADESH CONSTITUTION ?
And similarly the Door of Higher Court have also been closed for the Industries Owner imposing terms for advance deposit of 50 % of decreetal amount by the ARTHA RIN COURT which are not applicable upon any Bank or Loan Giving Agencies. These are few example of oppressive laws how the citizen in Bangladesh are repressed, depriving legal right by the policy maker miss -guiding the innocent or ignorant vast majority of Citizen of Bangladesh to protect the interest of vested group
Now there are no other alternative way but to draw the kind attention of Concerned Authority Including International Community / Organizations seeking help to save & protect the OWNER OF SICK OR DISTRESSED INDUSTRIES OF Bangladesh under Private Sector, including their properties from such deep rooted conspiracy and oppressive laws as well to protect the interest of large number of workers, staffs of the Private Sector and also for CHANGE of such oppressive laws to restore Accountability of Bank Official / Loan Giving Agencies including Policy Maker to ensure for national interest.
( A ) - Our humble appeal before the Government of Bangladesh to kindly allow Industrial Entrepreneur to claim Set Off or compensation on suit filed by the Bank / loan Giving Agencies. or allow to Run Compensation Suit Simultaneously with suits file by Bank Officials under ARTHA RIN ACT -2003 with equal opportunity and equal right between Banks / Loan Giving Agencies and of Industrial Entrepreneurs keeping similarity with on going process of ECONOMIC and ADMINISTRATIVE ,REFORMS PROGRAMME OF Bangladesh to maintain balance of law .
( B ) - Or all suits of Artha Rin Court may kindly be transferred to Civil Commercial Court providing Equal Right and Opportunity to prove and fix up the actual responsibility .
(C)- The Identified and SICK INDUSTRIES of 1992 & 1996 may kindly be allowed 100 % weaver of all type of loan liabilities as the loan have been already Written Off in support the current REFORMS
( D ) - And the above mentioned SECTIONS OF ARTHA RIN ACTS should be abolished immediately to restore accountability & check existing Negligence , Malpractices & Fraudulent Activities of Banking Sector to secure accountability and reduce the increasing number of Sickness of Industries Every Year.
More surprising are in this moment around 40,000 thousand suits have been filed by the banks in the Court for recovery of bank loam of this poor country , but no body speaks why such large numbers of Industries in Private Sector are getting more & more sick in each year
( E ) – And Section 28 ( Ka ) of BANKING COMPANY of 2001 which explain WRITTEN OFF does not mean Weaver.
Which simply to misguide the International Community & Bangladesh National so as to serve the interest of the Vested Group
( F )- The system of mortgage of Land & Properties from the Industrial Borrowers by Bank or any Loan Giving Agencies should also be complete abolished at earliest possible time to ESTABLISH ACCOUNTABILITY and Check Malpractices, Fraudulent Activities which are now growing by large in Banks or other Loan Giving Agencies and a major reason of Industrial Sickness .
( G ) - It would be an extreme favors if your good self kindly collect the PRINTED COPIES OF THE ABOVE MENTION LAWS for confirmation of above mentioned .& to help the Suffering Groups by circulating this appeal among Honorable Member of your Organization and Partner’s Organizations & to Publish in WEBSITES or News Bulletin or News Media, Electronic Media of your territory to bring to the knowledge of Concern Authority including International COMMUNITY OR ORGANIZATIONS working for HUMAN RIGHT & FUNDAMENTAL / Democratic Right of People for immediate help and support to protect the Owner of the Sick Industries / Distressed Industries of Bangladesh and their properties from such OPPRESSIVE LAWS for which they all would be ever grateful as well for change of all types of oppressive laws restoring accountability at all organization
********* N.B. the Summery of above mentioned Section of Arthatha Rin Act at a Galance:
(A)- In section 18 ( 2 ) & ( 3 ) Defendant or Owner of Industries will not be able to claim any set – off or to make counter claim against the Bank or Bank Official nor will be allowed to claim any Compensation by submitting any Suit against Bank ( Plaintiff ) analogously or simultaneously in Artha Rin Court due to violation of contract, fraudulence activities including negligence, malpractices of Bank officials.
(B)- Section 21: Settlement Conference between Borrower and Bank is a misnomer of Law of Arbitration or just to divert the attention of common people in the name arbitration or to make everybody fool .
(C) -As Per Section 19 (6) of Artha Rin Act of 2003 no suits can be declared to be dismissed or discharged for default or above mentioned fault of Bank Official. As per Section 20 regarding any order or proceedings of Artha Rin Act can not be raised to Higher Court or to any Other Superior Authority without paying 50 % of claimed or Decretal Amount if the order is totally misleading or against any law or illegal one even .
(D) - As per Section 34 Defendant or the Owner of Industries in Artha Rin Adalat Case can be put to the Jail for compelling or forcing him to pay the Bank Money without considering the fault or negligence’s of Bank Official without allowing him to proof the matter of violation of contract, fraudulence activities , negligence, malpractices of Bank officials. V- As per section 41 and 42 -The Owner of Industries are not allowed to file any appeal or revision to High Court or Superior Court against any order of Artha Rin Court without paying 50 % of the claimed amount or Decretal amount in advance , But the Bank Official are not require to pay any amount in advance in the Higher Court, allowing A Great Disparity of Law and Justice.
(E) - Under section 47 and 50 , The learned Court under Artha Rin Act of 2003 have been bared to make any exemption of principal loan amount for Violation of Contract , Negligence’s Malpractices, including fraudulent activities or any fault of the bank official uni laterally
(F)- Section 12 ( Kha ) Imposed a bar for filling write petition to Higher Court which are direct violation of human right and constitutional right of the citizen and reflects the negative attitude of Policy Maker and the Law Maker .
Suffering Groups of Industrial Entrepreneurs of Bangladesh
August 30th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Bangladesh is now exporting Software, Call centers, Heavy Cargo ships, and other hi-tech products. How can a consumer boycott them?
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Good question, James. Here is some information for your consideration:
(1) whenever you purchase a product, any product, take a look at the label on it and see the country of origin. When I visited Walmart I picked up a bag of frozen shrimp and on the back of it, in small letters, it stated: “A product of Bangladesh.”
(2) Although Bangladesh manufactures a variety of products, its main exports, according to the Bangladeshi Export Promotion Bureau, are:
Ready-made garments (RMG): 74%
Frozen foods: 5%
I hope I’ve answered your question, James. Thank you very much for your support.
BoycottBangladesh
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:49 am
You have done a marvellous job writing this. Thanks for sharing it with us and good day sir
May 11th, 2010 at 4:38 am
Bangladesh is known as democratic country
But as per article ( section ) 70 of Bangladesh Constitution , only key person or party chief. can take decision none the else
Second one is very age old or left over colonial laws and judicial system for ruling the people.
Due to which hundred and thousand of hard earned cash money of common people are spend to conduct these pending suits or litigation in the court which may not be settled even in life time not to speak off any certainty of specific result
Now the question- who are direct beneficiaries of the laws ?
Contesting parties are compelled to spend money by thousands and lacs in addition to valuable times of their active life, year after year
ARE THESE PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES ?
If not why the colonial laws and legal system are not changes yet ?
Experts are in opinion that Bangladesh can not face the advancement of Science and Technology like other Asian Countries nearby Bangladesh
Even Bangladesh will not be able to dream the face of digital world with existing Colonial Laws and Legal System .
But it is good for providing money to group of people involved in legal process who will never have any rule in productive activities just to change the face of poverty line. .
Third point which is most significant and important are the lack of accountability in every stage of life for people or Government Personal / Officials