Send Hasina to USA for treatment

Independent
Cherie Blair QC Thursday expressed concern over the health condition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and requested the government to send her to USA for treatment, reports UNB.

Cherie, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, had 23-minute one-to-one consultations with Hasina in the court room.

Hasina again fell sick in the dock prompting the special court to adjourn the defence-discharge hearing in the barge-mounted power plant case till April 30. Hasina was brought to Square Hospital from the special court.


"I''m concerned about her health. Her health is not good. In any way, the government should send her to USA for her treatment," Cherie Blair told reporters after the consultation with Hasina.

Cherie, who came here to observe the case proceedings and to advise Hasina''s attorneys, said the judicial process in Bangladesh must comply with international standard and human rights.

"I have advised Hasina and her legal team for her own safety," she said, adding: "It is important that we should take new proceeding against her detention."

Cherie said it is a threat to her right to life and amounts to inhuman infringement, which is contrary to the constitution of Bangladesh. Mentioning the case of Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, she said, "I''m aware that Bangladesh bordering with Burma, a country which is not known as supporter of the rule of law."

Cherie Blair said in Burma, there is another woman political leader being detained "and I won''t like to think Bangladesh was going along that route and its international image is hurt." Leader of National League for Democracy and a noted Prisoner of Conscience Suu Kyi has been detained by military junta in Myanmar since July 20, 1989.

Cherie said: "I''m sure, the government and people of Bangladesh seem to be upholding human rights and rule of law. "And I''m sure, they would not want to see Sheikh Hasina brought to such a situation that her right to life is being undermined by such inhuman and degrading treatment."

She hoped that Hasina would be released so she can go to America for emergency treatment, which she needs and deserves. Asked whether trial under the emergency power rules is contradictory to human rights, Cherie said she would advise Hasina''s lawyers how to proceed with the cases in this situation.

Earlier, Cherie along with her South African colleague Max du Plessis witnessed the trial proceedings when Hasina''s counsel Towfique Nawaz was making his arguments for discharging the charge against her client.

Source