Protests against torture on Rumana continue

Protests continue in Bangladesh and Canada to underline the demand for exemplary punishment of Hasan Syeed, who was arrested on charge of attempting to murder his estranged wife Rumana Monzur, a teacher at the Dhaka University.

A University of British Columbia scholar, Rumana, 33, also assistant professor of the International Relations Department at Dhaka University, has been undergoing treatment at LabAid Specialised Hospital since her return from India where her eyes were examined at Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai and Aravind Eye Hospital in Puducherry, whose doctors said that there was no hope that she would see again.

Hasan, 38, a drop-out of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, is now in jail after undergoing interrogation for six days in four phases by the Detective Branch, said the police.

Though some doctors in India and Bangladesh have said it is unlikely that she will see again, Canadian ophthalmologist Hugh Parsons has offered to treat Rumana, said CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster.

'We certainly welcome her to come here so that we can take a look and find out if we can help or not,' said Parsons. 'But time is important.'

'I sent all medical reports on Rumana's eyes to Hugh Parsons on Monday. Actually, we are trying to ascertain whether any doctor in the world can treat the eyes that do not respond to light,' Rumana's cousin Rashed Maqsood told New Age.

Rajshahi University's New Age correspondent reported that the teachers, students, cultural activists and political organisations of the university on Monday formed a human chain, demanding exemplary punishment of Hasan Syeed for torturing Rumana.

Over 200 people formed the human chain, organised by the RU Bangladesh Women Association, in front of the university's central library at about 11:00am.

Addressing the participants of the human chain, RU's vice-chancellor Abdus Sobhan called on all concerned to prevent such brutality to women across the country.

Canadian newspaper Vancouver Sun reported that the staffers and students of the University of British Columbia staged a rally on Sunday in support of Rumana.

'...I am deeply committed to the right of all persons to pursue an education...I join with you in wanting to see Rumana Monzur at the UBC congregation ceremony to receive her Master's degree in International Relations,' said UBC's president Stephen J Toope in his statement.

Source : New Age

No comments:

Post a Comment