November 15, 2007, was supposed to be just another one of the seemingly
endless string of pro forma court appearances for Salah Uddin Shoaib
Choudhury. It was his 36th in the 31 months since his release from prison.
They are pure harassment carried out in a deliberate effort to silence him.
They are draining his physical, financial, and emotional resources and all
have the same tedious and soul-numbing pattern : Shoaib is called to appear
as the court opens; he is forced to sit for hours upon hours; and finally,
the judge tells him that he is ordered to return in another few weeks. Bad
enough; but November 15 was not more of the same. After making Shoaib wait
for several hours-that did not change-Judge Azizul Haque berated him because
the Supreme Court had not yet heard him appeal. He then to the Public
Prosecutor and asked him what he thought should be done. Ehsanul Haque
Shomaji replied that the judge should revoke his bail.

Now, government spokesmen have been telling to leave them be, that the
matter is in the hands of the court, and that the government really cannot
interfere. That certainly does not sync with what happened on November 15!
The military-backed government's action was illegal, as well, since bail is
guaranteed under Bangladeshi law while the appeal is pending. But little
has been done in Shoaib's case that accords with the law; radical Islamists
still rule the roost in Dhaka, and call the tune to which the government
dances lies and transparent delaying tactics. They have told me explicitly
that they plan to 'wait us out' on this.

Eventually, Shoaib's bail was restored, but only until December 13 when he
again faces potential re-incarceration. That will be the fifth attempt to
throw him back in prison since we secured his release. Even though the
judge and public prosecutor acted in gross violation of Bangladeshi law, the
government refuses to take any action. All of it underscores Shoaib's
precarious position while the admittedly false and capital charges remain
pending. It brings home starkly how his freedom--perhaps his life--remain
in danger. But each one of you can do something to help Shoaib and the
cause of justice.

Garment exports to the West, especially the United States, are the lifeblood
of the Bangladeshi economy. The holiday shopping season is upon us, and
retailers depend on these sales for their economic health. I do not like
the word, boycott, but I do have a choice where to spend my own money.
Personally, I do not want to support an economy that openly supports radical
Islamists (the government has admitted numerous times that this is the sole
reason why the charges remain) and oppresses heroes who oppose the radicals.
Everyone can exercise that same choice. I have listed the top importers of
Bangladeshi textiles below and am asking everyone to contact each of them.
(If you are not in the US, write to the top importers in your country or we
can help you identify them if you want.) Tell them that you will refrain
from patronizing them until they either stop purchasing Bangladeshi goods or
until Bangladesh drops the admittedly false charges against Salah Uddin
Shoaib Choudhury-a man who has been honored for his fight against radicals
and his support of interfaith understanding by the US Congress, European
Parliament, Australian Senate, and others; who has been awarded numerous
international prizes for his struggle. Yet, the Bangladeshi government-in
defiance of them all-still harasses this man and threatens him with a
potential death sentence for those same efforts. Remind them that there are
plenty nations who would love to supply them with their textile products.
Why do they choose to buy from Bangladesh when it gives aid and comfort to
our enemies.

Each of you can be a human rights champion by doing that; you can do even by
getting others to do the same. The Bangladeshi government has turned a deaf
ear to international pleas for justice, appeals to human rights and a free
press, and even requests by the United States Congress. They have spurned
offers to help them with various problems they face, all because they refuse
to "anger the [Islamist] radicals," as they have told me again and again.

WAL-MART, INC.
H. Lee Scott, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 S.W. 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716
Phone: +1-479-273-4000

Bob Walton
Chairman, Board of Directors
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 S.W. 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716
Phone: +1-479-273-4000

Wal-Mart's Global Ethics Office: ethics@wal-mart.com

Congressman: John Boozman (R AR-3) He also was the Republican floor leader
for HR64 on Shoaib's behalf.
Senators: Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D)

THE GAP, INC.
Robert J. Fisher
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Interim Chief Executive Officer
Gap, Inc.
Two Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
USA
Phone: 650-952-4400

The Gap's Board of Directors: board@gap.com

Corporate Compliance Department: corporate_compliance@gap.com

Congressmanwoman: Nancy Pelosi (D CA-8) She is also Speaker of the US
House.
Senators: Diane Feinstein (D) and Barbara Boxer (D).

NIKE, INC.

Philip H. Knight
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Nike World Headquarters
One Bowerman Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005-6453
Phone: 1-800-344-6453

Mark Parker
President & Chief Executive Officer
Nike, Inc. Nike, Inc.
One Bowerman Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005-6453
Phone: 1-800-344-6453

Nike's Corporate Responsibility Governance: nikeresponsibility@nike.com

Congressman: David Wu (D OR-1)
Senators: Ron Wyden (D) and Gordon Smith (R)

VF CORPORATION

Mackey J. McDonald
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
105 Corporate Center Blvd. .
Greensboro NC 27408
Phone: 336.424.6000

Eric C. Wiseman
President and Chief Operating Officer
105 Corporate Center Blvd.
Greensboro NC 27408
Phone: 336.424.6000

Cindy Knoebel, Vice-president for corporate communication:
corporate_communications@vfc.com

Congressman: Coble (R NC-6)
Senators: Elizabeth Dole (R) and Richard Burr (R)

PHILLIPS-VAN HEUSEN CORPORATION
Emanuel Chirico
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
USA
Phone: 212-381-3500
Fax: 212-381-3950

Congresswoman: Carolyn B. Maloney (D NY-14)
Senators: Charles Schumer (D) and Hilary Rodham Clinton
(D)

This is something everyone can do, and Shoaib is depending on us all. He
has stood up against those who would kill us, even at the risk of his own
life. Let us all stand with him. The time is right. Bangladesh has
refused the carrot; perhaps it is time for the stick.