TAKING A STAND FOR HUMAN RIGHTS,
INTELLECTUAL DISSENT AND FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION...

On October 19, 1998, American Atheists held a protest in front of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington D.C. You can see the report here.

But one demonstration doesn't end the effort.

YOU CAN HELP

Learn more about Taslima Nasrin's important case! Follow the links on our web site...
Contact officials! We ask that you write, fax or e-mail the Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, His Excellency Ambassador K.M. Shehabuddin.
American officials need to hear from us as well, including Sens. Frank Wolfe (Va.), Arlen Specter (Pa.), Joseph Lieberman (Conn) and Don Nickles (Okla.).

SUGGESTIONS, TALKING POINTS IN CONTACTING OFFICIALS

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is urging everyone to write letters of concern regarding Taslima Nasrin.

Letters should be concise and polite. While e-mail is certainly an option, fax mail or "snail mail" often has a greater effect.

POINTS TO RAISE WITH AMERICAN OFFICIALS...

Identify yourself as a concerned citizen interested in the fate of Taslima Nasrin. If you are contacting State Department officials, urge them to do all possible in encouraging the Government of Bangladesh to drop its arrest warrant against Taslima Nasrin, and guarantee her safety.
If you are contacting elected officials, especially members of the U.S. Senate, urge them to use their offices on behalf of guaranteeing freedom and safety for Taslima Nasrin. You might also point out that "religious persecution" legislation such as the International Religious Freedom Act (under consideration in the Senate) does not address the problem of many groups and individuals who are victims of human rights abuses -- workers, journalists, womens' rights advocates, intellectuals and secular dissidents. Urge them to remember that a robust advocacy of human rights must include Atheists and everyone else, not just religious believers!

Among those who should be contacted:

Ambassador John C. Holzman
US Ambassador to Bangladesh
US Department of State
2201 C. Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Fax (At US Embassy in Bangladesh) 880-2 881 340
and 880-2 883 744

Hon. Madeleine K. Albright
US Department of State
2201 C. Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

private fax: 202-647-7120
e-mail: secretary@state.gov

[Visit our Contact Congress page for help in contacting US legislators]

POINTS TO RAISE WITH OFFICIALS FROM BANGLADESH
Again, we urge you to be polite but frank. Identify yourself as an American who is concerned about human rights violations, and specifically the case of Taslima Nasrin. Add that you have also contacted American officials with your concerns about her case. Encourage the official to do whatever is possible to end the legal harrassment of Ms. Nasrin; urge that the Bangladesh government work to guarantee human rights and safety for all!

Among those who should be contacted:

His Excellency, Ambassador K.M. Shehabuddin
2201 Wisconsin Ave., NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20007

fax: 202-333-4971
e-mail: BanglaEmb@aol.com

The Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations
(address to "Dear Sir/Madame")
821 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017

fax: 212-972-4038
e-mail: bgdun@undp.org

CONTACTING THE NEWS MEDIA...

Unfortunately, American news media -- captivated by celebrity and White House political gossip -- has not covered the Taslima Nasrin case in any depth. We suggest that Atheists and others concerned about human rights take advantage of various forums, including "talk radio" and letters to the editor of newspapers, in helping to educate the public about this important case.