“He’ll be killed if he returns to Bangladesh” — BNP-Jamaat threats leave family in fear

Rezaul Karim, a former activist of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and currently a UK-based expatriate, has allegedly received death threats from leaders and activists affiliated with the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Moulvibazar. According to his family and local sources, the threats were issued both through social media and in person at his ancestral home, raising serious concerns for his safety if he returns to Bangladesh.

His mother, Shahida Begum, stated, “On September 2, a few unidentified youths came to our house and said, ‘If your son returns to the country, he will be killed. We are keeping an eye on him.’”

Earlier, on August 15 — National Mourning Day — a group of assailants attacked Rezaul Karim’s ancestral home in Sompashi village. The attackers vandalized the house, looted valuables, and then set it on fire, reducing the property to ashes. Locals say the damage could have been even greater had they not intervened.

Rezaul Karim, a former student of Moulvibazar Government College, was active in Chhatra League politics during his student years. Due to repeated political persecution, he left the country and is currently in the process of applying for political asylum in the United Kingdom. There is a record of previous attacks against him as well. During the 2018 general elections, he was assaulted with a sharp weapon near Chandnighat in Moulvibazar town in what appeared to be an attempt on his life. He sustained serious injuries in that attack.

Currently, Rezaul is living under extreme insecurity. Despite being abroad, his family continues to face threats and intimidation, leaving him in a constant state of fear.

His mother added, “If my son returns home, they won’t let him live. They’ve tried to kill him before. Now they’re openly saying they’ll murder him if he comes back. As a mother, I fear for my son’s life. There is no safety for him in this country.”

Niyamul Haque, President of the Moulvibazar chapter of the human rights organization ‘Manusher Odhikar Foundation,’ said, “Targeting the family of a political expatriate in this way is a gross violation of human rights. Law enforcement must identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. It's evident that Rezaul Karim would face a serious threat to his life if he returns to the country.”

Commenting on the matter, Nazrul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Moulvibazar Model Police Station, said, “We have received complaints regarding the threats and attacks. Operations are underway to apprehend the culprits. No one is above the law.”