– December 26, 2007

Support Freedom of Movement, Security for Atheist/Feminist Taslima Nasrin

Taslima Nasrin, prominent feminist, Atheist and secularist is seeking freedom of movement and speech in her newly-adopted refuge of India.

Ms. Nasrin is an outspoken international critic of religious intolerance and oppression of women. Theocratic regimes and governments wishing to “not offend religion” have censored or banned her writings. Mobs of religious fanatics have been demanding her execution, and Ms. Nasrin – a native of Bangladesh – was forced to flee her homeland. She is currently hiding in India, but the government, catering to the demands of Islamic and other militant sectarian groups, has restricted her activities and movements.

An international campaign is now underway to express concern over the decision by the Indian government that Taslima Nasrin remain in the vicinity of New Delhi, or forfeit her residence status. The Members of the Bertrand Russell Society along with other Atheists, Freethinkers and Humanists are speaking out in support of this courageous activist. A statement from select members of the BRS states:

“The harassment and persecution of Dr. Nasrin, and of newspaper editors and organizations that have supported her cause, is an attempt to suppress the right to question and criticize religious belief and practice. If India is, indeed, a secular nation, we cal upon the State and Central governments of India to ensure that all other citizens have the right to have a religion as well as to have no religion. For her to be confined in an undisclosed place violates fundamental human rights, including the rights of freedom of belief and expression.”

We urge you to contact officials listed below, and express your support for Dr. Taslima Nasrin. Be polite, concise, and to-the-point. Share your letters with us and we will publish them on this web site!

Embassy of India, 2536 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington,
DC 20008 Fax: (202) 387-6946
Send e-mail using the form at: www.indianembassy.org/newsite/contact.asp

Bangladesh Embassy, 3510 International Drive NW,
Washington, DC 20008 Fax: (202) 244-2771 or (202) 244-7830
E-mail : bdootwash@bangladoot.org

John V. Hanford III, Ambassador-at-large for Religious
Freedom, U.S. Department of State, 2201 "C" St. NW
Washington, DC 20520
E-mail to communications@uscirf.gov & put "Attn: Amb. John V. Hanford" in subject line

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, 800 North Capitol St. NW (Suite 790) Washington, DC 20002 Fax: (202) 523-5020 Email: communications@uscirf.gov

Dr. Condoleezza Rice U.S. Department of State,
2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520
E-mail: use the form at contact-us.state.gov.

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