Detained Investigator Works for U.S. Labor Group in Bangladesh

For immediate release

(Amsterdam) The Clean Clothes Campaign calls on the government of Bangladesh today to release factory compliance monitor Mehedi Hasan, an employee of U.S. labor rights group Worker Rights Consortium. Hasan, who serves as field investigator for the Washington-based group, was arrested on January 24th and has since been held in detention. Repeated requests by his family to visit Mr. Hasan have been denied.

The Clean Clothes Campaign has joined human rights and labor rights groups across the globe to demand his immediate release. The group has also called on brands and retailers who source from Bangladesh to intervene on Mr. Hasan's behalf. The garment industry accounts for more than 75% of Bangladesh's exports.

"The government of Bangladesh risks losing the confidence of consumers, brands and retailers if it persists in persecuting innocent people who monitor labor conditions," said Ineke Zeldenrust of the Clean Clothes Campaign. "We call on the Bangladeshi authorities to desist from harming Mehedi Hasan in any way and to release him immediately."

Hasan's arrest takes place in a context of severe repression by the military-backed "caretaker" government. Since January 12, 2007 the government has banned political and trade union activities. Both Bangladeshi and foreign labor rights advocates have been put under surveillance interrogated and detained.

The Clean Clothes Campaign works with the Worker Rights Consortium and over 250 partner organizations worldwide to improve conditions and empower workers in the global garment industry. The Campaign has offices in 12 European countries.

Clean Clothes Campaign: phone: +31-20-412-27-85