Cherie urges B'desh govt to let Hasina go abroad for treatment

Dhaka, Apr 25 (UNI) Former British prime minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie Blair has called upon the Bangladesh caretaker government to allow detained former premier Sheikh Hasina to go abroad for emergency treatment.

Talking to mediapersons after observing the hearing on charge framing against Ms Hasina and seven others in the barge-mounted power plant graft case yesterday, Ms Blair, who is a barrister, suggested that the former premier and her counsels take legal initiatives against her detention as her ''right to life is being undermined by inhuman and degrading treatment''.

''It's clear to me, as I have spoken to her, that her health is not good. She is suffering both physically and mentally due to her detention,'' she said.

''I have advised her and her legal team for her own safety. It is important we should take new proceedings against her detention on the basis that it is a threat to her right to life,'' Ms Blair, who was speaking as a consultant to the detained leader's legal team, added.

''I hope they would see that it was in the best interest to release her so that she can go to the US and undertake emergency treatment which she needs and deserves,'' she stressed She also hoped that Bangladesh would not go along the same route as neighbouring Myanmar by detaining a woman political leader, the Daily Star reported.

''I would not like to think that Bangladesh was going the Myanmar way by detaining a woman leader,'' Ms Blair said.

The special court dealing with the barge-mounted power plant graft case adjourned the hearing on charge framing till April 30 as Ms Hasina fell sick in the court.

UNI XC SKB AS1838