Dhaka, March 13 -- A coalition of international human rights organisations and genocide scholars has formally appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to grant immediate bail to 75-year-old writer and filmmaker Shahriar Kabir on humanitarian grounds.

The joint letter, dated Thursday, Mar 12, and led by Genocide Watch and the Alliance Against Genocide, expressed "serious concern" over Kabir's continued detention and deteriorating health in Dhaka Central Jail.

Described in the appeal as an internationally renowned advocate for religious pluralism and minority protection, Kabir has authored numerous books on human rights and peace.

The coalition emphasised that his imprisonment has drawn "great concern" due to multiple murder-related cha...