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The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has expressed strong solidarity with Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, a renowned road safety advocate from Bangladesh, who faced wrongful arrest and judicial harassment in 2018.
PAZ condemned the fabricated extortion charges against Chowdhury, describing them as a clear attempt to silence his activism. Chowdhury, the Secretary General of the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB), has been at the forefront of exposing the country’s transport sector failures, which contribute to thousands of road fatalities annually.
“We urge the Bangladeshi authorities to drop all charges against Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury and ensure his safety and freedom,” PAZ National Coordinator Tafadzwa Goliati said in a statement. “His arrest was a blatant attack on human rights defenders, and we call for an independent investigation into the harassment he faced.”
By Ruvarashe Gora
Chowdhury’s detention in 2018 sparked a global outcry, with international human rights activists, civil society groups, and media organizations demanding his release. His arrest came amid the Safe Roads Movement, a campaign advocating for safer transport policies in Bangladesh. Following immense pressure from both local and international groups, he was eventually freed.
Despite continued threats, Chowdhury remains a key voice in road safety and passenger rights. His work is recognized by major organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank.
PAZ reaffirmed its commitment to defending human rights advocates globally, emphasizing that silencing campaigners like Chowdhury only worsens road safety challenges.
“We stand with Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury and all those fighting for safer roads,” Goliati said.
In 2018, during the Safe Roads Movement, Chowdhury was accused of extortion in what activists described as a politically motivated case. His arrest followed his organization’s reports exposing unsafe road conditions and the rising death toll in Bangladesh’s transport sector. Human rights organizations worldwide denounced the move, calling it an attack on free speech and activism.
Despite facing intimidation, Chowdhury has continued his advocacy, pushing for stronger road safety policies and passenger rights in Bangladesh. His efforts remain closely watched by global road safety and human rights organizations.
PAZ called on international bodies to keep monitoring Chowdhury’s situation and ensure that road safety activists worldwide can work without fear of persecution.
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