Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 08:00:06 -0400
From: Partha Banerjee <partha-AT-capital.net>
Subject: Taslima Nasreen and her head


From: Mohaiemen_Naeem <Naeem.Mohaiemen-AT-hbo.com>

The HINDU
Friday, October 02, 1998
SECTION: International


Taslima's appeal
Date: 02-10-1998 :: Pg: 14 :: Col: d

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, Oct. 1.

The Bangladesh writer, Ms. Taslima Nasreen, has appealed to democratic
Governments of the world to request the Bangladesh Government to drop the
case and allow her to leave the country.

In a letter to Amnesty International, a copy of which was faxed to the
press, she wrote: ``Dear friends - I was desperate to see my mother who is
dying. Even though the Government did not want me to go to Bangladesh, I
went. Soon after my coming, the news broke that I had arrived. The religious
fundamentalists immediately started their protests. They are demanding my
execution by hanging. More or less every day, thousands are on the streets,
making demonstrations and processions against me. In the meantime, an old
case emerged which was filed four years ago for my book Nirbachito Columns,
on the charge of hurting the religious feeling of the people. The court
issued an arrest warrant against me and ordered the seizing of my property.
This case is non-bailable. I am in hiding now, if I am arrested I will be
put in prison. If I still try to go to court for bail, nothing is safe for
me.

``On the 4th of October, the fundamentalists will block the Home Ministry
and demand my death. They have already created a general strike in city
called Sylhet. The fundamentalists in Bangladesh have planned more future
actions such as a `long march' and a nation-wide general strike to paralyze
the whole country. If the Government fails to arrest and hang me, then the
fundamentalists have declared that they must kill me. So, in this desperate
situation, being with my sick mother, I need protection. If the democratic
Governments of the world request the Bangladesh government to ensure my
security, drop the case issued against me and allow me to leave the country
when I want in order to save my life, it would be a great comfort to me.

``Thank you for your support and solidarity - Taslima Nasreen''.