HRW a hired organization: AL

Awami League Spokesman Dr Hasan Mahmud today criticized the recently published annual report of the US based Human Rights Watch (HRW) terming the organization as a hired one.

"Human Rights Watch is a hired organization. It makes reports in exchange of money," he told a press conference at the Awami League (AL) president`s political office at Dhanmondi here.

Hasan, also Publicity and Publication Affairs Secretary of ruling Awami League, said HRW gets money from anti-liberation force Jamaat`s lobbyist farm.

He said the New York based organization have sought unconditional apology to International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) as it worked in favour of Jamaat to thwart the trial of crimes against humanity.

"Human Rights Watch published a report on the Islamic practice of wearing veil by women in favour of Muslim Brotherhood in exchange of money from few Arab countries. It also reported that Iraq had lethal gas. But it was proved false later," the AL leader said.

Hasan also strongly criticized the remarks of BNP`s top leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed on the basis of HRW report.

"The remarks of BNP leaders on the basis of such hired organization`s report have revealed the party`s severe political bankruptcy," he added.

Hasan said earlier BNP was eagerly waiting for the national elections to be held in India and Pakistan but after the polls they were disappointed.

"Now they are making remarks and statements depending on reports of different NGOs. BNP has now become a parasite organization based on statement," he said.

On January 12, HRW published its annual report on human rights and freedom of speech and others issues.