Ahmed Kabir Kishore

Ahmed Kabir Kishore (; born 30 May 1974) is a Bangladeshi cartoonist. He was accused of drawing cartoons and was held in pre-trial detention in Bangladesh under the country's infamous Digital Security Act for 10 months since May 2, 2020. His detention and reports of custodial torture drew concern and criticism from Cartoonists Rights Network International, Cartooning for Peace, other international organizations, and members of the Bangladeshi public.

Biography Kishore's parents are AKM Mozammel Huq and Begum Kohinoor Huq.Mozammel Huque was a deputy general manager of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation, an artist, actor, voice artist and a writer as well. He incepted a new cultural activity just after independence war through publishing literature magazines. Kishore learnt how to draw from his father and brother. He completed his SSC at Crescent High School and HSC at BL College. He enrolled in the Department of Architecture at BUET but did not finish his studies. Kishore later joined the Bangladesh Bangladesh Navy as an officer cadet, was promoted to midshipman, and was withdrawn from the academy for protesting corporal punishment four days before the passing-out parade.

During March and April 2020, Kishore drew several cartoons criticizing and satirizing the Bangladesh Government's handling of COVID-19 pandemic and posted it in his Facebook timeline with the title "Life in the Time of Corona". of Bangladesh.

Detention and torture Kishore and his elder friend writer Mushtaq Ahmed were arrested in May, 2020 in Dhaka under the Digital Security Act by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) unit-3. Kishore, along with ten others, was accused of “spreading rumours” about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Bangladesh Liberation War, and the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, allegedly with the intent to create confusion and unrest. Among other accused were Didarul Islam Bhuiyan, an activist of a platform called 'Rastrachinta' and Swedish-Bangladeshi journalist Tasneem Khalil, editor of Netra News. Police complaints also linked Kishore’s cartoons, including the Life in the Time of Corona series, and the Facebook page "I am Bangladeshi", to alleged attempts at tarnishing the country’s image." RAB denied the allegations of torture, with its media wing director Ashique Billah describing Kishore’s statements as those of “an aggrieved person.

Reaction of detention Human Rights Watch, PEN America, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and 13 OECD countries condemned the arrest, and torture of Kishore and Mushtaq. They also urged the Government of Bangladesh to release Kishore. Nine international organizations: AFAD, FORUM-ASIA, AHRC, ANFREL, CIVICUS, Eleos Justice - Monash University, FIDH, OMCT and Robert F Kennedy Human Rights in a joint statement called for investigations of the allegation of torture on Kishore.

Bail Kishore and Mushtaq were denied bail 6 times by the lower court of Bangladesh during the 10 months period they were detained under the Digital Security Act. After the death of Ahmed, people of Bangladesh protested in the streets of Dhaka. A panel of high court judges granted Kishore bail on March 3, 2021. Kishore got out of the prison on March 5, 2021, and told the journalists in detail how he was tortured by Rapid Action Battalion. Editors' council of Bangladesh in a joint statement asked for dropping all the charges against Kishore. On March 10, 2021, Kishore filed a complaint with a Dhaka court recounting his experiences of torture.

Cartoonists Rights Network Bangladesh (CRNB) On 24 February 2010, the Cartoonists Rights Network Bangladesh (CRNB) was officially inaugurated at Dhaka University’s Teacher–Student Centre. The launch featured a street exhibition of cartoons and public awareness activities focusing on food adulteration and the preservation of the Bengali language. Organizers, including Kishore, distributed leaflets and urged authorities to take stronger action against corrupt food practices, marking the network’s formal entry into activism through cartooning.

In the media Kishore’s case has been covered internationally as an example of declining press freedom in Bangladesh. A 2022 Nieman Reports article described his detention under the Digital Security Act and alleged torture as part of a wider crackdown on political cartoonists and journalists. The Globe and Mail similarly reported that despite his detention and alleged torture, he continued producing cartoons and activism, highlighting his resilience and commitment to free expression. In 2023, The Guardian linked his experience of arrest and alleged torture to a broader government crackdown on opposition voices in Bangladesh.

Books Bhalobashar Chhoragolpo, Jagriti Publications, 2006 Kishore er Nirbachito Chushil Cartoon, Amar Prokashoni, 2012 Bangladesher Cartoon, Cartooner Bangladesh, Shrabon Prokashoni, 2012 - the only publication ever on such topic Deyaler Golpo, Priomukh Prokashoni, 2016 Kishore also received the first Unmad medal from Unmad, a sole cartoon magazine published from Dhaka, Bangladesh.