UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR SIGMA HUDA RELEASED ON BAIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000846 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018 TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL BG SUBJECT: UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR SIGMA HUDA RELEASED ON BAIL WHILE CORRUPTION CASE MOVES FORWARD Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Geeta Pasi; reason 1.4 (b)&(d) Summary ======= ¶1. (C) Sigma Huda, a well known Bangladeshi human rights activist and former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking, was released on bail for two months on August 6. Huda, who has been convicted in one case and stands accused of corruption, bribery and extortion in several others, was granted bail on medical grounds. Despite her release, Huda still faces an uphill legal battle. Her lawyers plan to appeal for an extension of bail and seek permission for her to travel to the UK or Singapore for treatment. Her husband, former Minister Nazmul Huda, remains in prison. Legal Problems Far from Over ============================ ¶2. (C) In a phone conversation with PolOff, Huda,s sister, Kushi Kabir, claimed that Sigma should have been released on bail months ago. Kabir repeated claims that Huda has been targeted because of her husband,s political affiliation. There are currently four cases pending against Huda, including charges of bribery, extortion and corruption. To date, she has been acquitted in two cases and convicted in one instance and sentenced to three years in jail. (Note: Huda is entitled to bail according to Bangladeshi law, since an appeal is still pending before the Supreme Court.) Huda,s medical status ===================== ¶3. (C) Kabir told us Huda is currently resting at home. She has a number of medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes and a heart arrhythmia. Doctors have stated that she needs 24 hour supervision and better medical facilities than the prison currently provides. Huda,s family members believe her condition has worsened during her incarceration. Concerned about the quality of medical care in Bangladesh, the family plans to appeal for an extension of bail and seek approval for her to obtain medical treatment in Singapore or London. Comment ======= ¶4. (SBU) Post actively pressed the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) for consideration of Sigma Huda,s medical condition during her incarceration. Post will continue to urge the GOB to uphold international standards of human rights and take into consideration medical needs when dealing with those detained under the State of Emergency. Pasi