Drishtipat Blog

We are all aware of the human rights issues of concern that exist in many parts of the world. We all must try our utmost efforts to address these issues, in whatever way we can. I am aware that many of the organisations that I have listed this e-mail to are directly involved in efforts to address such matters of injustice.

Nasreen[not the real name] Begum a British Muslim citizen, a resident of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, is said to be around 26 years old (stated by one of her relatives in London, who has spoken out of distress). She went to Bangladesh Last year during the winter, upon her mother’s request. She has been having ongoing marital difficulties, and went to Bangladesh, in order to get a divorce from her Husband in England; something her mother said that she would facilitate, as she had been married to her maternal cousin (who resided in England). Her maternal aunt managed to get her ex- husband to Bangladesh, and a divorce was negotiated and finalised. Nasreen is said to be not very fluent in English, and she may have not been aware of the support available in UK to help her.

Nasreen was living with her mother, who lives with her paternal uncle in the village of Monirgati, in a remote area called Dokkin Khurma, in the district of Chatok (greater Sylhet) region. Nasreen was forced into a marriage with her paternal cousin on 11th April 2007, against her wishes. Her mother is said not to have been unable to challenge her paternal uncle and family (Nasreen was their ticket to England). Nasreen had no father or brother to challenge this; and therefore they felt no power in society as they were dependent on male members of the extended family. Nasreen has a younger sister of 13 years old. Nasreen tried to commit suicide on the night of her wedding. She did not succeed, as others saw her hanging by her scarf. They cut the scarf, and had taken her to a hospital. She is reported to be severely withdrawn after this, and her communication stated by others, to be confusing. They called her ‘mad’ in the village where she was held, denoting that she had developed mental health problems. She was locked up and not given any further treatment. Some of her Relatives in England knew about this, but decided not to intervene, as they were concerned for Nasreen’s mother and sisters who are in Bangladesh; as Nasreen’s relatives on her paternal side have threatened them, of violence and banishment from their own home with no sustenance or safety to their selves; if they do not stay quiet about the issues.

Nasreen’s health deteriated, and she was unable to sleep, her eyes stated to be red. The members of her paternal family including the cousin Misbah, (who thinks that he has married her, and claims to be her husband regardless of the denial and abuse of Nasreen’s liberties (a marriage that is also clearly invalid and a practice prohibited by religion of Islam), believed that she was now possessed by spirits because she refused to accept him. They took her to a spiritual Exorcist (peer), who took on a traditional treatment – contrary to the teaching of Islam. The Peer named Syed Montasir Shimu undertook severe beating with sticks and the pouring of herbal creams and potions into her eyes and on her body; in an attempt to rid her body and mind of the spirits that had possessed her. Nasreen’s whole body is now evident of severe injury, and she has not been able to open her eyes for the last 5 days. She has been in a critical condition and has been unconscious for several days.

She is currently at the Royal Clinic in Zindabazar, in the town of Sylhet, in Bangladesh. She is stated by a doctor at the clinic Dr M. Suhel to continue to be in a critical condition. Her relatives in England have been informed that she is unconscious. They are not given the telephone number of the clinic. Nasreen’s relatives in England appear indecisive as to what they can do, as Nasreen’s immediate family are under threat, and in any case Nasreen is in a critical condition. They are all fearful that if they go to Bangladesh to intervene, they may all be subjected to violence by Nasreen’s paternal family, and may cause further difficulties for her mother and sisters.

Humans rights issues for Nasreen, and her rights to exist as a human being has lost any sense of value on the lands of Bangladesh; where the economy and socio-cultural structures, together with the lack of commitments of any meaningful, effective social action by several of the dominant political parties of the past; interweave into the continuous reality of violation of human rights at many levels.

I rang a friend today, who asked me “do you remember that young beautiful girl, Nasreen, who was once your neighbour? She is in the Bengali newspaper Eurobangla in London”. He described a little of what he read. I contacted Nasreen’s relatives in London, whom I met in the past when I met Nasreen. She visited me a few times then. It was 6/7 years ago. I was horrified to hear all the facts, and the distress of one of her mothers cousin in London; crying frantically, not knowing what to do. Her husband asked me if I could help in any way, knowing that I work as a social worker for Tower Hamlets Social services. For an hour I thought in pain, and of Nasreen’s past 5 weeks. I want to go there now and help Nasreen survive, like the many British women that I have helped in the past. But Nasreen is guarded at the clinic by her paternal family, who want her to survive in order to ensure a passage to England. I wonder whether Nasreen wishes to live, and wake up to the predicament that has robbed her of her identity, where she has no power. She may be thinking quietly that insanity and death are the ultimate paths to her liberation.

I send this e-mail to you all, as my efforts to stop this for Nasreen. I request for representatives from the British Government and organisations to come together and have dialogue with the Bangladeshi Government to save a British Citizen. I request you all to fight for her security, to demand from the current Government of Bangladesh to provide her the best provisions of Medical care to ensure her return to good health, and her return to England. I want a collective Demand for provisions of security for Nasreen, her mother and her sisters from the Bangladesh Government, and support from The British Government. I want an enquiry to be demanded and undertaken into the events. I want Nasreen to survive and tell us what had happened to her. I want the world to hear the evidence; and I demand Justice from the Interim Bangladeshi Caretaker Government for Nasreen and her family. Political parties in Bangladesh should accept their failings to their communities and to international citizens.

When our citizens are in any danger outside of England, we have a history of supporting and actively negotiating for the return of our members without any injury or abuse of any kind. We march against global injustices and political decisions both national and international around Trafalgar Square. Our politicians try their best to safeguard British values that uphold human rights. Nasreen may not have made the headlines yet, but she is need of our support from England and elsewhere. It is now our turn to help her survive by any means possible. It is the duty of the British Government to intervene, as he is a British Citizen.

Please forward this to anyone who can help, politicians, media, advocates, organisations and the public. Please help Nasreen. She may be a single life, but taking measures for her, will relay a message to the society around her; and may enable them to think about the value of human life, and the values we strive for in England and in many other countries, that can bring about justice, equality and humanity in this world, and help prevent any further incidences like this.

Please help Nasreen, please contact Bangladesh Government and request them to take her and her mother and sisters into protection, and provide her services that will ensure her recovery and a safe return back to England, which she called ‘home’.

I thank you for reading this long letter, and give regards with prayers of hope for Justice.