The denial of parole to Bagerhat Sadar Upazila Chhatra League president Jewel Hasan Saddam, despite his family’s formal request, is a direct violation of constitutional and human rights, the Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has said.
The 28-year-old was only allowed to view the bodies of his deceased wife and nine-month-old child at the gate of the jail, preventing him from attending their funeral and burial.
ZI Khan Panna, Senior Lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court and Chairperson of ASK, signed the statement, stressing that the incident sets a dangerous precedent incompatible with a constitutional, democratic, and human rights-respecting state.
ASK noted that, under Articles 27, 31 and 35(5) of the Bangladesh Constitution, all citizens are entitled to equal legal protection and must not be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
“As a detainee, Saddam retains these constitutional safeguards. Denying him parole in this extreme humanitarian situation amounts to inhuman and degrading treatment, violating Article 35(5),” the organisation said.
The centre highlighted the government’s 2016 parole policy issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It allows temporary parole for close relatives of prisoners—including spouses, children, parents, and siblings—upon the death of a family member.
While administrative discretion is permitted, the policy cannot be arbitrarily or unreasonably denied, ASK said. “In this case, the authorities’ refusal contradicts both the law and principles of fair administration,” it added.
ASK further pointed to international law, noting Bangladesh’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 7 prohibits cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, while Article 10(1) mandates humane treatment of all persons deprived of liberty.
Allowing Saddam only five minutes to see his wife and child at the jail gate is inconsistent with these obligations.
The centre emphasised that citizens have the right to know the reasons for administrative decisions.
“The silence of jail authorities and related officials raises serious questions of arbitrary, discriminatory behaviour,” ASK said. It called for a clear explanation and accountability from state authorities and urged the High Court to consider suo motu action.
Meanwhile, the Jashore District Administration has issued a formal statement to refute misinformation circulating on social media and some news outlets regarding the parole release of a prisoner from Jashore Central Jail.
The Media Cell of the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Jashore, clarified the matter in an official statement on Sunday, Saddam transferred to Jashore Central Jail from another facility on December 15, 2025.
The administration has categorically stated that no application for his release on parole was ever submitted to the District Magistrate, Jashore, by the jail authorities.
The statement emphasized that since no parole application was filed with the District Magistrate’s office, the question of rejecting such an application does not arise.
