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David Bergman is the son of Alan Bergman, a dentist from [[Hadley Wood]], in north London.<ref name=thetimesplot /><ref name=guardianplot /><ref name=upiplot /> He holds degrees in both politics and law<ref name="New Age article contemptuous">{{cite news |date=19 February 2012 |title=New Age article contemptuous, says ICT |url=http://dev-bd.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=218540&cid=2 |newspaper=BD News 24}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}</ref> and his law degree is from the [[University of Birmingham]].<ref name=thetimesplot>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Hamlyn |date=17 September 1986 |title=Briton caught up in 'Bhopal vendetta': David Bergman |newspaper=The Times (London)}}</ref><ref name=plot>{{cite news |date=22 September 1986 |title='Plot to silence' Briton in Bhopal |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=3}}</ref>
David Bergman is the son of Alan Bergman, a dentist from [[Hadley Wood]], in north London.<ref name=thetimesplot /><ref name=guardianplot /><ref name=upiplot /> He holds degrees in both politics and law<ref name="New Age article contemptuous">{{cite news |date=19 February 2012 |title=New Age article contemptuous, says ICT |url=http://dev-bd.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=218540&cid=2 |newspaper=BD News 24}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}</ref> and his law degree is from the [[University of Birmingham]].<ref name=thetimesplot>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Hamlyn |date=17 September 1986 |title=Briton caught up in 'Bhopal vendetta': David Bergman |newspaper=The Times (London)}}</ref><ref name=plot>{{cite news |date=22 September 1986 |title='Plot to silence' Briton in Bhopal |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=3}}</ref>


Bergman is married to Bangladeshi lawyer and writer [[Sara Hossain]],<ref name=family>{{cite news |date=1 December 2011 |title=Nurul Kabir to continue his defence on Dec 20 |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2011/12/01/nurul-kabir-to-continue-his-defence-on-dec-20 |newspaper=BDNews24 |accessdate=2013-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2011 |title=Yunus verdict today |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=184303 |newspaper=The Daily Star |accessdate=2013-02-18}}</ref><ref name=bcnet /> who is the co-editor of ''{{'}}Honor{{'}}: Crimes, Paradigms and Violence Against Women''.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Hossain |editor-first1=Sara |editor-last2=Welchman |editor-first2=Lynn |date=2005 |title='Honour': Crimes, Paradigms and Violence Against Women |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ujwLunL_rrQC&pg=PR9 |publisher=Zed Books |pages=9– |isbn=978-1-84277-627-8}}</ref> His father-in-law is Dr. [[Kamal Hossain]], who has been the president of the [[Gano Forum]] political party in Bangladesh since he founded it in 1992.<ref name=family /><ref name=bcnet /><ref>{{cite news |author=Anwar Parvez Halim |date=12 June 2011 |title=Sons and daughters of political parents |url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/9375343-sons-and-daughters-of-political-parents |publisher=All Voices |accessdate=2012-12-22}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=4 February 2012 |title=Two decades of Gono Forum |url=http://probenews.com/utility/emaillists/printview/4f2db660-626c-443d-9395-2672416fb142/ams/Newsarticle |publisher=Probe News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193001/http://probenews.com/utility/emaillists/printview/4f2db660-626c-443d-9395-2672416fb142/ams/Newsarticle |archive-date=2013-10-29 |accessdate=2012-12-22}}</ref>
Bergman is married to Bangladeshi lawyer and writer [[Sara Hossain]],<ref name=family>{{cite news |date=1 December 2011 |title=Nurul Kabir to continue his defence on Dec 20 |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2011/12/01/nurul-kabir-to-continue-his-defence-on-dec-20 |newspaper=BDNews24 |accessdate=2013-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2011 |title=Yunus verdict today |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=184303 |newspaper=The Daily Star |accessdate=2013-02-18}}</ref><ref name=bcnet /> who is the co-editor of ''{{'}}Honor{{'}}: Crimes, Paradigms and Violence Against Women''.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Hossain |editor-first1=Sara |editor-last2=Welchman |editor-first2=Lynn |date=2005 |title='Honour': Crimes, Paradigms and Violence Against Women |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ujwLunL_rrQC&pg=PR9 |publisher=Zed Books |pages=9– |isbn=978-1-84277-627-8}}</ref> His father-in-law is Dr. [[Kamal Hossain]], who has been the president of the [[Gano Forum]] political party in Bangladesh since he founded it in 1992.<ref name=family /><ref name=bcnet /><ref>{{cite news|author=Anwar Parvez Halim |date=12 June 2011 |title=Sons and daughters of political parents |url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/9375343-sons-and-daughters-of-political-parents |publisher=All Voices |accessdate=2012-12-22 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130413063404/http://www.allvoices.com:80/contributed-news/9375343-sons-and-daughters-of-political-parents |archivedate=13 April 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=4 February 2012 |title=Two decades of Gono Forum |url=http://probenews.com/utility/emaillists/printview/4f2db660-626c-443d-9395-2672416fb142/ams/Newsarticle |publisher=Probe News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193001/http://probenews.com/utility/emaillists/printview/4f2db660-626c-443d-9395-2672416fb142/ams/Newsarticle |archive-date=2013-10-29 |accessdate=2012-12-22}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
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[[Gita Sahgal]], who later produced ''War Crimes File'', said she first met Bergman when he was politically active in the relief work after the [[Bhopal disaster]] in India.<ref name=sahgalinterview /> Bergman first traveled from [[Birmingham]], England, to [[Bhopal]] in March 1986 by bicycle as a charity to raise ₤5,000 for the victims of the disaster. While there, he became entangled in a legal dispute over the government's role in relief that ''[[The Guardian]]'' later dubbed "The Bergman Affair".<ref name=affair /> Other organizations providing relief to the victims of the Bhopal disaster said they were harassed or prevented from being effective because of government intervention.<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael |last=Hamlyn |title=Bhopal gas tragedy claims more victims two years on: Aftermath of Indian chemical plant disaster |newspaper=The Times (London) |date=3 December 1986}}</ref>
[[Gita Sahgal]], who later produced ''War Crimes File'', said she first met Bergman when he was politically active in the relief work after the [[Bhopal disaster]] in India.<ref name=sahgalinterview /> Bergman first traveled from [[Birmingham]], England, to [[Bhopal]] in March 1986 by bicycle as a charity to raise ₤5,000 for the victims of the disaster. While there, he became entangled in a legal dispute over the government's role in relief that ''[[The Guardian]]'' later dubbed "The Bergman Affair".<ref name=affair /> Other organizations providing relief to the victims of the Bhopal disaster said they were harassed or prevented from being effective because of government intervention.<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael |last=Hamlyn |title=Bhopal gas tragedy claims more victims two years on: Aftermath of Indian chemical plant disaster |newspaper=The Times (London) |date=3 December 1986}}</ref>


In September 1986, when Bergman was 21 years old, he was held in custody in violation of India's [[The Foreigners Act, 1946|Foreigners Act]] and [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]] and was accused of working for [[Union Carbide]].<ref name=thetimesplot /><ref name=highcourt /> Around the time of his detention, Bergman was on a [[hunger strike]] and also suffering from [[hepatitis]], and although he requested the court allow him to travel for treatment his request was denied, as was his father's intervention on behalf of his son's health.<ref name=thetimesplot /><ref name=guardianplot>{{cite news|first=Paul |last=Hoyland |title=India holds British aid worker: Arrest of David Bergman under official secrets act |newspaper=The Guardian (UK) |date=9 September 1986}}</ref><ref name=upiplot>{{cite news|first=Mazhar |last=Ullah |title=Briton faces trial in Bhopal leak |publisher=United Press International |date=22 September 1986}}</ref><ref name=plot /> He denied the charges as a form of harassment and challenged the lower courts decision.<ref name=highcourt /><ref name=dismissed /> His case was heard before the Supreme Court,<ref name=highcourt>{{cite news|author=Reuters |title=Court to Hear Man's Plea on Bhopal |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=30 October 1986}}</ref> and the high court decided in his favour and also allowed for his continued stay in India to take part in the relief efforts.<ref name=affair>{{cite news|title=Bhopal Briton wins visa ruling: David Bergman affair |newspaper=The Guardian (UK) |date=31 October 1986}}</ref> Later, the Supreme Court intervened again and forced the lower court to dismiss the charges.<ref name=dismissed>{{cite news|first=Chris |last=Steyn |title=Bhopal Briton returns: David Bergman |newspaper=The Times (London) |date=2 January 1987}}</ref> Bergman later spoke to the media for the Bhopal Action Group, London, and argued against the sabotage theory advocated by Union Carbide and in favour of design flaws as the cause.<ref>{{cite news|first=Roger |last=Milne |title='Act of Sabotage' killed thousands at Bhopal |publisher=The New Scientist |page=28 |date=19 May 1988 |accessdate=2013-02-21|url=http://books.google.de/books?id=uBbmVGaFBpAC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=%22Bhopal+Action+Group%22&source=bl&ots=Uo7XHSeu8-&sig=YUeWPLK0tTh9uKDStrJdSplTuV0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bNklUdXIKqmw0AXJt4CQDw&ved=0CGQQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22Bhopal%20Action%20Group%22&f=false}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=India: Challenges Union Carbide's Bid for Personal Settlements |publisher=Inter Press Service |date=17 June 1988}}</ref> He also published an article in a law journal about these competing views.<ref>{{cite journal|first=David |last=Bergman |title=The sabotage theory and the legal strategy of Union Carbide |publisher=New Law Journal |volume=138 |date=17 June 1988}}</ref>
In September 1986, when Bergman was 21 years old, he was held in custody in violation of India's [[The Foreigners Act, 1946|Foreigners Act]] and [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]] and was accused of working for [[Union Carbide]].<ref name=thetimesplot /><ref name=highcourt /> Around the time of his detention, Bergman was on a [[hunger strike]] and also suffering from [[hepatitis]], and although he requested the court allow him to travel for treatment his request was denied, as was his father's intervention on behalf of his son's health.<ref name=thetimesplot /><ref name=guardianplot>{{cite news|first=Paul |last=Hoyland |title=India holds British aid worker: Arrest of David Bergman under official secrets act |newspaper=The Guardian (UK) |date=9 September 1986}}</ref><ref name=upiplot>{{cite news|first=Mazhar |last=Ullah |title=Briton faces trial in Bhopal leak |publisher=United Press International |date=22 September 1986}}</ref><ref name=plot /> He denied the charges as a form of harassment and challenged the lower courts decision.<ref name=highcourt /><ref name=dismissed /> His case was heard before the Supreme Court,<ref name=highcourt>{{cite news|author=Reuters |title=Court to Hear Man's Plea on Bhopal |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=30 October 1986}}</ref> and the high court decided in his favour and also allowed for his continued stay in India to take part in the relief efforts.<ref name=affair>{{cite news|title=Bhopal Briton wins visa ruling: David Bergman affair |newspaper=The Guardian (UK) |date=31 October 1986}}</ref> Later, the Supreme Court intervened again and forced the lower court to dismiss the charges.<ref name=dismissed>{{cite news|first=Chris |last=Steyn |title=Bhopal Briton returns: David Bergman |newspaper=The Times (London) |date=2 January 1987}}</ref> Bergman later spoke to the media for the Bhopal Action Group, London, and argued against the sabotage theory advocated by Union Carbide and in favour of design flaws as the cause.<ref>{{cite news|first=Roger |last=Milne |title='Act of Sabotage' killed thousands at Bhopal |publisher=The New Scientist |page=28 |date=19 May 1988 |accessdate=2013-02-21 |url=http://books.google.de/books?id=uBbmVGaFBpAC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=%22Bhopal+Action+Group%22&source=bl&ots=Uo7XHSeu8-&sig=YUeWPLK0tTh9uKDStrJdSplTuV0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bNklUdXIKqmw0AXJt4CQDw&ved=0CGQQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22Bhopal%20Action%20Group%22&f=false |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141021045700/http://books.google.de/books?id=uBbmVGaFBpAC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=%22Bhopal+Action+Group%22&source=bl&ots=Uo7XHSeu8-&sig=YUeWPLK0tTh9uKDStrJdSplTuV0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bNklUdXIKqmw0AXJt4CQDw&ved=0CGQQ6AEwCQ |archivedate=21 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=India: Challenges Union Carbide's Bid for Personal Settlements |publisher=Inter Press Service |date=17 June 1988}}</ref> He also published an article in a law journal about these competing views.<ref>{{cite journal|first=David |last=Bergman |title=The sabotage theory and the legal strategy of Union Carbide |publisher=New Law Journal |volume=138 |date=17 June 1988}}</ref>


==Workers' rights==
==Workers' rights==
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Bergman also maintains a blog that follows the proceedings of the [[International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)|International Crimes Tribunal]] of Bangladesh.<ref name=dawn />
Bergman also maintains a blog that follows the proceedings of the [[International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)|International Crimes Tribunal]] of Bangladesh.<ref name=dawn />


Bergman published a controversial opinion article, "A crucial period for International Crimes Tribunal", in ''[[New Age (Bangladesh)|New Age]]'' on 2 October 2011 that was seen as contempt by Justice Md Nizamul Huq, Justice ATM Fazle Kabir and AKM Zahir Ahmed, although the body exonerated Bergman and his publisher, it warned them to be more careful.<ref name=DS_001>{{cite news|title=New Age editor, publisher, journo reprimanded|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=223183|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|date=20 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Star Online Report |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=35917 |title=New Age editor exonerated |publisher=Thedailystar.net |date=19 February 2012 |accessdate=2012-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=David |last=Bergman |title=A crucial period for International Crimes Tribunal |url=http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/archive_details.php?date=2011-10-01&nid=35250 |publisher=New Age &#124; Newspaper|date=1 October 2011 |accessdate=2012-12-22}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}</ref> In December 2012, Justice Nizamul Huq resigned when Skype recorded emails between the justice and [[Ahmed Ziauddin]] that compromised the fairness of the tribunal were revealed on [[YouTube]] and in publications such as ''The Economist'' and ''Amar Desh''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=43105 |title=Justice Nizamul quits International Crimes Tribunal |newspaper=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |date=11 December 2012 |accessdate=2012-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Daily Star |title=Bangladesh tribunal extends deadline for two journalists to reply to notice |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267783 |date=4 February 2013 |accessdate=2013-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Daily Star |title=Sedition case filed against Amar Desh editor, publisher |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=43158 |date=13 December 2013 |accessdate=2013-02-23}}</ref> Elsewhere in the media, Bergman has criticised the due process procedures of the International Crimes Tribunal as flawed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Muslim preacher gets death for Bangla genocide |url=http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=136246&heading=Asia |newspaper=Oman Tribune |agency=Agence-France Presse |date=21 January 2013 |accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref> He has been critical of the tribunal's due process and principles in following rule of law.<ref name=bcnet>{{cite news |last=Bergman |first=David |date=15 February 2013 |title=My response to Tahmina Anam's article on 'Shahbag', 1971 war crimes trials in Bangladesh, and demands for hangings |url=http://bangladeshchronicle.net/2013/02/my-response-to-tahmina-anams-article-on-shahbag-1971-war-crimes-trials-in-bangladesh-and-demands-for-hangings/ |newspaper=Bangladesh Chronicle |accessdate=2013-02-21}}</ref> Bangladesh's tribunal raised a further contempt charge against Bergman in April 2014 concerning three articles he had published on his blog about the court. At issue is his writings about how many people died during the Bangladesh Liberation War with the court using the official figure of three million and Bergman saying that number is disputed by evidence.<ref name=dawn /> He was convicted by that court at the end of 2014, where it was proclaimed that he "hurt the feelings of the nation."<ref name=convicted2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/british-journalist-david-bergman-convicted-bangladesh-questioning-1971-war-death-toll-1731760|title=British Journalist David Bergman Convicted In Bangladesh For Questioning 1971 War Death Toll|first=Sneha |last=Shankar|date=December 2, 2014|work=International Business Times}}</ref>
Bergman published a controversial opinion article, "A crucial period for International Crimes Tribunal", in ''[[New Age (Bangladesh)|New Age]]'' on 2 October 2011 that was seen as contempt by Justice Md Nizamul Huq, Justice ATM Fazle Kabir and AKM Zahir Ahmed, although the body exonerated Bergman and his publisher, it warned them to be more careful.<ref name=DS_001>{{cite news|title=New Age editor, publisher, journo reprimanded|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=223183|accessdate=29 September 2013|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|date=20 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Star Online Report |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=35917 |title=New Age editor exonerated |publisher=Thedailystar.net |date=19 February 2012 |accessdate=2012-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=David |last=Bergman |title=A crucial period for International Crimes Tribunal |url=http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/archive_details.php?date=2011-10-01&nid=35250 |publisher=New Age &#124; Newspaper |date=1 October 2011 |accessdate=2012-12-22 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021235739/http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/archive_details.php?date=2011-10-01&nid=35250 |archivedate=21 October 2013 }}</ref> In December 2012, Justice Nizamul Huq resigned when Skype recorded emails between the justice and [[Ahmed Ziauddin]] that compromised the fairness of the tribunal were revealed on [[YouTube]] and in publications such as ''The Economist'' and ''Amar Desh''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=43105 |title=Justice Nizamul quits International Crimes Tribunal |newspaper=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |date=11 December 2012 |accessdate=2012-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Daily Star |title=Bangladesh tribunal extends deadline for two journalists to reply to notice |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267783 |date=4 February 2013 |accessdate=2013-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Daily Star |title=Sedition case filed against Amar Desh editor, publisher |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=43158 |date=13 December 2013 |accessdate=2013-02-23}}</ref> Elsewhere in the media, Bergman has criticised the due process procedures of the International Crimes Tribunal as flawed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Muslim preacher gets death for Bangla genocide |url=http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=136246&heading=Asia |newspaper=Oman Tribune |agency=Agence-France Presse |date=21 January 2013 |accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref> He has been critical of the tribunal's due process and principles in following rule of law.<ref name=bcnet>{{cite news |last=Bergman |first=David |date=15 February 2013 |title=My response to Tahmina Anam's article on 'Shahbag', 1971 war crimes trials in Bangladesh, and demands for hangings |url=http://bangladeshchronicle.net/2013/02/my-response-to-tahmina-anams-article-on-shahbag-1971-war-crimes-trials-in-bangladesh-and-demands-for-hangings/ |newspaper=Bangladesh Chronicle |accessdate=2013-02-21}}</ref> Bangladesh's tribunal raised a further contempt charge against Bergman in April 2014 concerning three articles he had published on his blog about the court. At issue is his writings about how many people died during the Bangladesh Liberation War with the court using the official figure of three million and Bergman saying that number is disputed by evidence.<ref name=dawn /> He was convicted by that court at the end of 2014, where it was proclaimed that he "hurt the feelings of the nation."<ref name=convicted2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/british-journalist-david-bergman-convicted-bangladesh-questioning-1971-war-death-toll-1731760|title=British Journalist David Bergman Convicted In Bangladesh For Questioning 1971 War Death Toll|first=Sneha |last=Shankar|date=December 2, 2014|work=International Business Times}}</ref>


==Works==
==Works==

Revision as of 09:03, 23 June 2016

David Bergman
Bornc. 1965
NationalityBritish
CitizenshipUnited Kingdom
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham
OccupationJournalist
Known for
  • Activism in Bhopal disaster
  • His reporting on war crimes resulting from the Bangladesh Liberation War
SpouseSara Hossain
RelativesKamal Hossain (father in-law)
AwardsRoyal Television Society

David Bergman (born c. 1965)[1][2] is a British human rights activist[3] and investigative journalist based in Bangladesh, who worked at the New Age, a Bangladesh national newspaper.[4] He is known for his reportage on war crimes committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War. An investigative documentary on the subject he worked as a reporter and researcher for British television in 1995 won an award.[5][6]

Personal

David Bergman is the son of Alan Bergman, a dentist from Hadley Wood, in north London.[1][7][8] He holds degrees in both politics and law[9] and his law degree is from the University of Birmingham.[1][10]

Bergman is married to Bangladeshi lawyer and writer Sara Hossain,[11][12][13] who is the co-editor of 'Honor': Crimes, Paradigms and Violence Against Women.[14] His father-in-law is Dr. Kamal Hossain, who has been the president of the Gano Forum political party in Bangladesh since he founded it in 1992.[11][13][15][16]

Career

David Bergman is an investigative journalist and previously worked for the UK's Twenty Twenty.[17] He has formerly worked at several Bangladeshi newspapers, including Dhaka Tribune, The Daily Star, Bdnews24.com, and New Age.[citation needed] In addition to writing for Bangladeshi papers, Bergman has contributed to Foreign Policy and The Economist.[18][19] His coverage of the International War Crimes Tribunal appeared in The Independent newspaper.[20]

Between 1999 and 2009, Bergman headed the human rights organisation Centre for Corporate Accountability and advocated for legal reforms on work-related deaths.[21][22]

Activism in Bhopal

Gita Sahgal, who later produced War Crimes File, said she first met Bergman when he was politically active in the relief work after the Bhopal disaster in India.[5] Bergman first traveled from Birmingham, England, to Bhopal in March 1986 by bicycle as a charity to raise ₤5,000 for the victims of the disaster. While there, he became entangled in a legal dispute over the government's role in relief that The Guardian later dubbed "The Bergman Affair".[23] Other organizations providing relief to the victims of the Bhopal disaster said they were harassed or prevented from being effective because of government intervention.[24]

In September 1986, when Bergman was 21 years old, he was held in custody in violation of India's Foreigners Act and National Security Act and was accused of working for Union Carbide.[1][2] Around the time of his detention, Bergman was on a hunger strike and also suffering from hepatitis, and although he requested the court allow him to travel for treatment his request was denied, as was his father's intervention on behalf of his son's health.[1][7][8][10] He denied the charges as a form of harassment and challenged the lower courts decision.[2][25] His case was heard before the Supreme Court,[2] and the high court decided in his favour and also allowed for his continued stay in India to take part in the relief efforts.[23] Later, the Supreme Court intervened again and forced the lower court to dismiss the charges.[25] Bergman later spoke to the media for the Bhopal Action Group, London, and argued against the sabotage theory advocated by Union Carbide and in favour of design flaws as the cause.[26][27] He also published an article in a law journal about these competing views.[28]

Workers' rights

Bergman was affiliated with the Centre for Corporate Accountability as its executive director for nine years before stepping down in 2009 when the it closed.[21][22] While at this organization, Bergman worked on legal issues related to workers' safety issues and the Centre supported the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.[29][30][31][32][33] The law went into effect in 2008 and allows corporations to be charged with manslaughter that occurs inside the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom, including multinationals.[34]

Notable works of journalism

Bangladesh war crimes

Bergman was the reporter and researcher behind the 1995 documentary film War Crimes File that was aired on British TV Channel 4 about the 1971 Bangladesh atrocities.[5] The film was produced by Gita Sahgal, director of this film was Howard Bradburn, made with the assistance of Bangladeshi filmmaker Tareque Masud, and created for Twenty Twenty.[5][35][36][37] The program received a special commendation in the "Best International Current Affairs Award" category from the Royal Television Society in 1995, which was for its "courageous exposé of Islamic extremists now living in Britain".[38][39][40] The film was subjected to a libel charge by the men featured in the film.[41]

Bergman also maintains a blog that follows the proceedings of the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh.[6]

Bergman published a controversial opinion article, "A crucial period for International Crimes Tribunal", in New Age on 2 October 2011 that was seen as contempt by Justice Md Nizamul Huq, Justice ATM Fazle Kabir and AKM Zahir Ahmed, although the body exonerated Bergman and his publisher, it warned them to be more careful.[42][43][44] In December 2012, Justice Nizamul Huq resigned when Skype recorded emails between the justice and Ahmed Ziauddin that compromised the fairness of the tribunal were revealed on YouTube and in publications such as The Economist and Amar Desh.[45][46][47] Elsewhere in the media, Bergman has criticised the due process procedures of the International Crimes Tribunal as flawed.[48] He has been critical of the tribunal's due process and principles in following rule of law.[13] Bangladesh's tribunal raised a further contempt charge against Bergman in April 2014 concerning three articles he had published on his blog about the court. At issue is his writings about how many people died during the Bangladesh Liberation War with the court using the official figure of three million and Bergman saying that number is disputed by evidence.[6] He was convicted by that court at the end of 2014, where it was proclaimed that he "hurt the feelings of the nation."[49]

Works

  • Bergman, David. "The sabotage theory and the legal strategy of Union Carbide," New Law Journal, 138, 17 June 1988.
  • Bergman, David. (Director) "War Crimes Files" (documentary), Dispatches (program), Channel 4. 1995.
  • —— (2 October 2011). "A crucial period for International Crimes Tribunal". New Age. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013.[dead link]
  • —— (15 February 2013). "My response to Tahmina Anam's article on 'Shahbag', 1971 war crimes trials in Bangladesh, and demands for hangings". Bangladesh Chronicle. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015.
  • —— (16 May 2013). "Witness alleges state abduction". New Age. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014.
  • —— (17 April 2014). "Questioning an Iconic Numbe". The Hindu.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Hamlyn, Michael (17 September 1986). "Briton caught up in 'Bhopal vendetta': David Bergman". The Times (London).
  2. ^ a b c d Reuters (30 October 1986). "Court to Hear Man's Plea on Bhopal". Sydney Morning Herald. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ Rao, Venugopala (22 September 1986). "India: Officials shielding Union Carbide, Bhopal activists say". Inter Press Service.
  4. ^ "Rejoinder to 'SQ's relatives unperturbed'". bdnews24. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d Khan, Tamanna (20 April 2012). "Defender of Justice". Star Weekend Magazine. The Daily Star. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "Bangladesh files contempt case against British reporter". Dawn. Agence France-Presse. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  7. ^ a b Hoyland, Paul (9 September 1986). "India holds British aid worker: Arrest of David Bergman under official secrets act". The Guardian (UK).
  8. ^ a b Ullah, Mazhar (22 September 1986). "Briton faces trial in Bhopal leak". United Press International.
  9. ^ "New Age article contemptuous, says ICT". BD News 24. 19 February 2012.[dead link]
  10. ^ a b "'Plot to silence' Briton in Bhopal". The Glasgow Herald. 22 September 1986. p. 3.
  11. ^ a b "Nurul Kabir to continue his defence on Dec 20". BDNews24. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  12. ^ "Yunus verdict today". The Daily Star. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  13. ^ a b c Bergman, David (15 February 2013). "My response to Tahmina Anam's article on 'Shahbag', 1971 war crimes trials in Bangladesh, and demands for hangings". Bangladesh Chronicle. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  14. ^ Hossain, Sara; Welchman, Lynn, eds. (2005). 'Honour': Crimes, Paradigms and Violence Against Women. Zed Books. pp. 9–. ISBN 978-1-84277-627-8.
  15. ^ Anwar Parvez Halim (12 June 2011). "Sons and daughters of political parents". All Voices. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Two decades of Gono Forum". Probe News. 4 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  17. ^ "Who's worked with us?: A list of about 800 of the UK's most talented and skilled people". Twenty Twenty (former website). Retrieved 22 December 2012.[dead link]
  18. ^ Bergman, David (15 March 2011). "Is this the End of Muhammad Yunus". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  19. ^ Muhammed Yunus: You're fired. No, I'm not, The Economist, 3 March, 2011
  20. ^ Bergman, David (5 February 2013). "Bangladesh: Opposition party chief given life sentence for war crimes". The Independent (UK). Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  21. ^ a b Bergman, David (7 October 1999). "Where the blame lies". The Guardian (UK).
  22. ^ a b "Grantees: Centre for Corporate Accountability". Sigrid Rausing Trust.
  23. ^ a b "Bhopal Briton wins visa ruling: David Bergman affair". The Guardian (UK). 31 October 1986.
  24. ^ Hamlyn, Michael (3 December 1986). "Bhopal gas tragedy claims more victims two years on: Aftermath of Indian chemical plant disaster". The Times (London).
  25. ^ a b Steyn, Chris (2 January 1987). "Bhopal Briton returns: David Bergman". The Times (London).
  26. ^ Milne, Roger (19 May 1988). "'Act of Sabotage' killed thousands at Bhopal". The New Scientist. p. 28. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "India: Challenges Union Carbide's Bid for Personal Settlements". Inter Press Service. 17 June 1988.
  28. ^ Bergman, David (17 June 1988). "The sabotage theory and the legal strategy of Union Carbide". 138. New Law Journal. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  29. ^ Mathiason, Nick (17 November 2002). "Company ethics? They're not our business". The Guardian / The Observer. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  30. ^ Bergman, David (2 February 2003). "Work deaths soar as Labour dithers". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  31. ^ "Manslaughter concession". 157 (7283). New Law Journal. 27 June 2007. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  32. ^ Tran, Mark (23 November 2004). "Corporate killing bill unveiled". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  33. ^ Chamberlain, Phil (8 December 2007). "Safety catch". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  34. ^ "The 25 Most Influential Executives in the Business Travel Industry, 2008". Business Travel News. 20 January 2009.
  35. ^ "War Crimes File – A Documentary BY Twenty Twenty Television". Bangladesh Genocide Archive.
  36. ^ Gita Sahgal (18 December 2011). "Dead Reckoning: Disappearing stories and evidence". Thedailystar.net. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  37. ^ Ahammed, Rakib; Laskar, Rizanuzzaman (15 August 2011). "2 key witnesses lost". Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  38. ^ Holden, Simon (23 February 1996). "Top Award for Diana's Interviewer". Press Association News.
  39. ^ "RTS NATIONAL AWARDS" (PDF). Royal Television Society. p. 59. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  40. ^ "Awards and nominations". Twenty Twenty (former website). Retrieved 22 December 2012.[dead link]
  41. ^ Mohaiemen, Naeem (October 2011). "Flying blind: Waiting for a real reckoning on 1971". Forum. No. Vol v, no 10. The Daily Star. Retrieved 22 December 2012. {{cite news}}: |issue= has extra text (help)
  42. ^ "New Age editor, publisher, journo reprimanded". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 20 February 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  43. ^ Star Online Report (19 February 2012). "New Age editor exonerated". Thedailystar.net. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  44. ^ Bergman, David (1 October 2011). "A crucial period for International Crimes Tribunal". New Age | Newspaper. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ "Justice Nizamul quits International Crimes Tribunal". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 11 December 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  46. ^ "Bangladesh tribunal extends deadline for two journalists to reply to notice". The Daily Star. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  47. ^ "Sedition case filed against Amar Desh editor, publisher". The Daily Star. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  48. ^ "Muslim preacher gets death for Bangla genocide". Oman Tribune. Agence-France Presse. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  49. ^ Shankar, Sneha (2 December 2014). "British Journalist David Bergman Convicted In Bangladesh For Questioning 1971 War Death Toll". International Business Times.
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