The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

International Human Rights lawyer William Sloan was barred from holding his pre-departure press conference at Sonargaon Hotel here yesterday afternoon.

Plainclothes security personnel also stopped media men at the main entrance of the hotel.

A hotel security man told the media men the press conference scheduled for 4:30pm was cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances.

At around 4:40pm, Barrister Shafique Ahmed, counsel for detained AL president Sheikh Hasina, Advocate Shahera Khatun, Advocate Abdul Mannan, Advocate Kamrul Islam and Barrister Tapash came out of the hotel and alleged that the government has posted police in front of Sloan's room in the hotel and he was not allowed to come out of it.

"William Sloan has booked Chitra room to hold the press conference, but we found that the room has been kept under lock and key, and the hotel management said the press conference has been cancelled," Barrister Shafique said.

He said the hotel authorities would not say who has cancelled the press conference.

Sloan, also the president of American Association of Jurists, the Canadian chapter, came here on Feb 16 to witness the case proceedings against Sheikh Hasina as well as human rights situation. He is scheduled to leave for Canada today (Saturday).

He made an attempt to see Sheikh Hasina at the special court Tuesday but the security men did not allow him to enter the court on the ground that he has no permission from the authorities concerned.

Barrister Shafique said, "The press conference was called by Sloan, but he didn't cancel it. You can clearly understand from this that the government doesn't want William Sloan to speak to the press."

He mentioned that Sloan came to Bangladesh as a lawyer and human rights activist. "The act of the government will tarnish the country' s image a bit," he said.

Responding to a question, Barrister Shafique said, they also came to the hotel to listen to Sloan "like you", he did not say anything yet, but the government, apprehending something, stopped the press conference.

He expressed his regret in favour of Sloan as they could not attend the press conference due to the restriction.

Earlier Wednesday, Sloan exchanged views with Supreme Court lawyers when he said the world is keeping eyes on the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as he was doubtful about the transparency of its proceedings.

He said the way the trial is being held "keeping the people in the dark" will not be acceptable to the international community.

"I've been asked by my Association to watch the trial process and the human rights situation here. I'll submit my report to the Association and the report will be published," he said, adding, "I haven't come here to defend anyone."