Numerous references to Mockbul Hossain and his affiliation with the Awami League (AL) were found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate (The Daily Star 15 Dec. 2002; ibid. 4 Jan. 2002; ibid. 1 Sept. 2002; ibid. 19 Oct. 2002; ibid. 23 Sept. 2003; New Age 25 July 2003; News Garden 19 Nov. 2001; Bangladeshi News 10 Dec. 2001; Bangladesh Nationalist Party 2001). Specifically, the majority of sources refer to Hossain as a former AL lawmaker (The Daily Star 19 Oct. 2002; ibid. 15 Dec. 2002; ibid. 23 Sept. 2003; News Garden 19 Nov. 2001), while two sources indicated that Hossain is a former AL Member of Parliament (Bangladeshi News 10 Dec. 2001; The Daily Star 4 Jan. 2002).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Bangladeshi News. 10 December 2001. "Mockbul-Challenge." (Dialog)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). 2001. "Election 2001." http://www.bnpbd.com/el_khulna.html [Accessed 16 Feb. 2005]

The Daily Star [Dakha]. 23 September 2003. "Explain How Islamic Militants Get Funds Hasina Dares Home Minister at Public Rally." http://www.dailystarnews.com [Accessed 26 Sept. 2003]

_____. 15 December 2002. "Army Arrests Shamim Osman's Brother." http://www.dailystarnews.com [Accessed 20 Dec. 2002]

_____. 19 October 2002. "250 More Netted, Two Die During Interrogation." http://www.dailystarnews.com [Accessed 24 Oct. 2002]

_____. 1 September 2002. "Houses of Top AL Leaders Raided." http://www.dailystarnews.com [Accessed 6 Sept. 2002]

_____. 4 January 2002. "Mockbul Granted Bail." http://www.thedailystar.net/dailystarnews.200201/04/n2010403.htm [Accessed 22 Feb. 2005]

New Age National. 25 July 2003. "Awami Swechhasebak League Council July 27." http://www.newagebd.com/ [Accessed 16 Feb. 2005]

News Garden. 19 November 2001. "Bangladesh." http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/news/newsgarden/19-11-2001.htm [Accessed 22 Feb. 2005]

The High Commission of Bangladesh, in Ottawa, did not respond to a letter requesting information within time constraints.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), BangladesherDak, The Bangladesh Journal, Bangladesh News Net, BBC, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Freedom in the World 2004, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), World News Connection (WNC).