A joint statement was sent to the Bangladesh Foreign Minister today from 64 NGOs led by the Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendro and the Bangladesh Labour Rights Forum.

“It is unfortunate that the Malaysian authority cancelled Rayhan’s work permit and launched a big manhunt against him,” they said. “Rayhan did not deserve any penalties as he only served as an eyewitness to the crackdowns and did not commit any crime,” they said in the statement copied to the Malaysian media.

They urged the minister to negotiate with the Malaysian government to release Rayhan and reinstate his work permit.

The Malaysian immigration department today secured a 14-day remand order against Rayhan. His work permit has been cancelled and he is expected to be deported on Aug 31.

The Bangladesh NGOs said the Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission had also asked the Bangladeshi foreign affairs ministry to provide Rayhan with legal assistance.

In the Al Jazeera documentary on July 3, Rayhan had commented on the alleged mistreatment of illegal immigrants in raids during the Covid-19 lockdown. Following a manhunt by the Immigration Department, he was detained two weeks later.