Secretary General Irene Khan launches new portal from Bangladesh

Amnesty International today launched a new version of its website to cater for the millions of Bangla speakers across the globe.

The new website www.amnesty.org/bangla was launched during Amnesty International’s high level mission to Bangladesh. The mission is being led by the Secretary General, Irene Khan, and has seen delegates meet with journalists, bloggers and activists to discuss the state of freedom of expression in the country.

Amnesty International is calling on the Caretaker Government in Bangladesh to lift restrictions on freedom of expression imposed under emergency regulations.

Irene Khan, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, speaking from the official launch of the website at the Drik Gallery in Bangladesh, said:

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that must be respected and is essential if democracy in Bangladesh is to be resilient and enduring.

“Amnesty International’s Bangla website is aimed at encouraging Bangladesh’s vibrant civil society to join the international network of all those who believe that human rights abuses anywhere are the concern of people everywhere.”

The site will carry all the information currently on the English-language version and will seek to engage online support from the Bangla-speaking community across the world about rights in Bangladesh and beyond.

Irene Khan added:

“Whether in a high-profile conflict or a forgotten corner of the globe, Amnesty International campaigns for justice and freedom for all. Our activists mobilise public pressure through many means, including the net.

“The new site aims to harness the power of technology in the 21st century to change the world. Human rights have gone global by going local and we hope Bangla speakers will use their online activism to make a difference on critical human rights issues around the world.”

Those interested in becoming Bangla International Members will be able to sign up on the new website and take part in the ‘Close Guantanamo’ action due to be released on the website on Friday 11 January – the anniversary of the transfer of the first prisoners to the US run military detention centre.