We are a group of activists Within the framework of ILC in Sweden

We are, as defenders of democratic rights, engaged in supporting the Bangladeshien writer Taslima Nasrin who hides and lives underground in her own country.

We have sent a statement to the Bangladeshien Embassy in Stockholm and we have received an answer.

The ambassador acknowledges in his letter that freedom of speach is a basic human right. On the other hand he defends and encourages the persecution of Taslima Nasrin by saying that her writing is "extremely provocative and has given deep offence to certain people in Bangladesh, whose religious sentiments have been hurt".

In the letter the ambassador denies that those who sentenced Taslima Nasrin to death through their fatwa are neither fundamentalist nor fanatics. He also says that she has not been denied legal protection and the same time the Government of Bangladesh insists that she "submit to the law and resolve the court case".

The governmental support of those who persecute Taslima Nasrin and their persistence to go through the legal charge, makes us wonder which kind of protection the Government of Bangladesh is Willing to give Taslima Nasrin.

We appeal to all defenders of democratic rights to support Taslima Nasrin by sending supportive statements to the embassies of Bangladesh all over the world and put pressure so that the government of Bangladesh guarantees her security and drop all charges against her.

We are sending following documents:

- Statement in support of Bangladeshien writer Taslima Nasrin,

11 November 1998

- Answer from ambassador A. B Majoor Rahim,

13 November 1998