A human rights organization strongly criticized the University of Asia Pacific in Bangladesh for firing two teachers, Layeka Bashir and ASM Mohsin, over blasphemy accusations. The organization, Justice Makers Bangladesh in France, expressed concern over the lack of due process in the dismissals, citing violations of constitutional rights and academic freedom. The teachers were allegedly terminated without a transparent investigation or the chance to defend themselves, raising questions about the university’s commitment to justice.
The rights group highlighted that the teachers were labeled as ‘Islamophobic’ for their social media posts, which led to organized protests and their subsequent dismissal. The decision to remove them before the completion of a proper investigation committee’s work was deemed unjust and a threat to academic independence. The organization’s Chief Advisor, Robert John Paul Simon, criticized the university for prioritizing appeasement of violence over protecting the rights of its educators.
According to Justice Makers Bangladesh in France, the incident not only represents an injustice to the teachers but also poses a significant threat to academic freedom and freedom of expression in Bangladesh. The organization warned that such actions could stifle intellectual discourse and research in the country, creating a culture of fear and self-censorship among academics. It called for the immediate suspension of the teachers’ dismissal and the establishment of an impartial investigation commission to ensure justice and safety for the accused educators.
