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David Frankfurter brought his family to Ra'anana, Israel from their native Sydney, Australia in 1992. He is a business consultant, corporate executive and writer who frequently comments on the Middle East conflict.
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By David Frankfurter
June 7, 2004
Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury never set out to be a cause, or a martyr. Reared in a Muslim society, he received a worldview that demonized both the Jewish state and the Jewish people, and even worked for a time at the Islamist-backed Daily Inquilab newspaper.
Eventually, he became convinced that the people of Bangladesh were being deceived by the one-sided media portrayals of Israel and the Jewish people. He wrote and helped publish articles urging his country to recognize Israel, condemning terrorism and the biased press portrait of Israel and Jews. His views sparked debate in the nation's press and even the halls of government.
On November 29 2003, Choudry was arrested while boarding a plane, on his way to make an historic address in Tel Aviv on the role of the media in creating peace. Police raided his press offices and home, seizing computers, disks, and files. On their heels, a mob sacked the premises with impunity.
A public vilification campaign followed, accusing Choudhury of being a Mossad agent and a Muslim fundamentalist, a homosexual and a womanizer, a committed Zionist and an opportunist. His family continues to receive threats and pressure to denounce him. His brother and principal spokesman, Sohail, has been attacked and twice had to flee the capital. The police refused to record the attacks, and blamed the Choudhurys for their "alliance with the Jews."
Choudhury was repeatedly hauled into court, each time returned to prison for "interrogation" with no formal charges until charged with sedition - a capital offense - in January. There is no substance to the charge, and the government has admitted as much. The problem is that Bangladesh's lower courts are notoriously corrupt and subject to the political forces of the moment. Choudhury's lawyer pins his hopes on Bangladesh's High Court, but as Sohail Choudhury said last week, "It is very difficult to get a date with the High Court," and there is no indication when his case might be heard.
Choudhury's situation becomes more precarious with every passing day. His health has deteriorated markedly in prison, where the temperatures soar above 45°C and he is forbidden to use even an electric fan. Despite successive court orders to the Prisons Service, he has not been given the treatment for advanced glaucoma that he needs. Outside, the Choudhurys are deprived of a living: their businesses closed and looted. Banks have refused them credit to re-open, and Sohail can't find work due to his public stance. The families have been living on their savings, but ongoing legal bills and the cost of daily life in the capital are steadily depleting family assets.
Even more ominous is Bangladesh's deteriorating social and political situation. Several prominent journalists, politicians, and writers have been arrested. On May 6, a prominent opposition MP was gunned down in Dhaka. Rioting followed, and the government imposed what amounts to martial law. Armed militia recently raided the prison where Choudhury is confined, "searched and checked all prisoners" and "badly harassed" several. Choudhury's supporters fear that he might turn up "shot while trying to escape" or simply disappear.
The government gains in several ways by harassing Choudhury. It stops his activities, sends a clear message to others who might dare speak the heresy of peace with the Jews, asserts the government's power, and curries favor with the discontented populace. Simply, appearing even more anti-Zionist than your opponent is a sure way of winning support in any Muslim country.
Most importantly, it does it because it can. Despite protests by Reporters without Borders, Committee to Protect Journalists, and a few others, Bangladeshi officials have heard little outrage over this human rights violation.
Dr. Richard Benkin, a Chicago based author and speaker, published pro-Israeli pieces in Bangladesh through Choudhury, before his arrest. Benkin was shocked when his friend was arrested, and today spearheads a campaign to free Choudhury. His website includes an online petition for Choudhury's freedom and a 'visitors book' through which supporters send messages of hope to the family. Benkin is also looking for possible leads on work opportunities for Sohail. "A foreign company operating in Bangladesh and not subject to local passions, or something through the Internet might be ideal," he says.
Benkin says that people also use his website to email the Bangladesh authorities, letting them know that their treatment of Shoaib Choudhury is being watched around the world. He summarizes: "The only things Choudhury preached were peace and interfaith understanding. And for that the Bangladesh government persecutes him. Shoaib Choudhury took a personal risk in standing with us and is paying for it. We must not sit by idly."
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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