Human Rights Watch has called Bangladesh authorities for protecting the rights of the two detainees -- Hasnat Karim and Tahmid Khan -- who were detained for interrogation in connection with Dhaka café attack on July 1.

The two Gulshan attack survivors, Hasnat Karim, 47, and Tahmid Hasib Khan, 22, who were taken into custody after the 11-hour café siege, have yet to return home, family members said on July 12. But police on the same day claimed that they had been “released” after questioning.   

The duo along with all the other survivors, were taken by the Detective Branch of police for interrogation after the Holey Artisan Bakery standoff ended on July 2.

READ MORE: Where are they?

“Karim and Khan have not had access to a lawyer, and the police continue to deny holding them although they are clearly still being held by the Detective Branch. The authorities need to either charge or release them immediately,” said HRW Asia Director Brad Adams.

READ MORE: THE TWO “DETAINED”

Expressing concern over the “human rights violations through mass arbitrary arrests and custodial abuses by the law enforcers”, the HRW asked Bangladesh authorities to admit to the detentions of the two men, to make clear their whereabouts, and to protect their rights.

The rights body urged the authorities concerned either to charge or release the duo by guaranteeing their rights and safety, according to a press release issued today from New York.

Charge or Release Holey Attack Hostages: HRW

On July 1, armed gunmen stormed at Holey Artisan Bakery at Road 79 in Gulshan-2 of Dhaka. They killed 20 hostages and two police officers in about 12-hour-long siege.

READ MORE: Attackers were among a dozen missing youths

The attack on the café was a horrific event, and the authorities should conduct thorough investigations by questioning those held hostage – but they must do so in a rights-respecting manner,” he added.

As Karim is a UK national and Khan is a resident of Canada, the rights body called upon both the UK and Canadian authorities to press for consular access to ensure the safety and well-being of the detainees.