Denying Saddam parole for wife and child’s burial violates rights, Constitution: ASK

Human rights group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has termed the denial of parole to Bagerhat Chhatra League leader Jewel Hasan Saddam to attend the funeral of his wife and 9‑month‑old child a clear violation of the Constitution and international law.

In a statement on Sunday, ASK said the family had formally applied to authorities for Saddam’s release on parole so he could join the funeral prayers and burial.

Instead, he was only allowed to see the bodies briefly inside Jashore Central Jail before being sent back to his cell, it said.

Saddam, president of the banned Chhatra League’s Bagerhat Sadar Upazila unit, has been in Jashore Jail since his arrest in a Aug 5, 2024 case.

On Friday, police recovered the bodies of his wife Subarna Swarnali, 22, found hanging from a ceiling fan, and their son, identified only as Nazif, discovered on the floor, from their home in Karapara Union’s Sabekdanga village.

Despite the tragedy, Saddam was not released.

On Saturday evening, the bodies were taken to Jashore Jail, where he touched them for the last time before being returned to custody.

ASK cited constitutional provisions guaranteeing equal protection under law, access to justice, and freedom from cruel or degrading treatment.

It said denying parole in such extreme humanitarian circumstances amounted to inhuman treatment and breached Article 35(5) of the Constitution.

The organisation also pointed to the government’s 2016 parole policy, which allows temporary release of prisoners when close relatives die.

ASK argued that rejecting the family’s application without explanation violated the intent of the law and fair administrative process.

It also noted that Bangladesh, as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), is bound to treat detainees with humanity and dignity.

Preventing Saddam from attending the funeral, ASK said, was inconsistent with Articles 7 and 10(1) of the ICCPR.

ASK demanded clear accountability from prison authorities and the administration, saying the silence and arbitrary denial of parole raised serious questions about constitutional and democratic standards.