United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, has warned that using public outrage as a weapon against journalists and artists is dangerous at any time, and even more alarming as Bangladesh heads toward national elections.
Condemning the recent attacks on the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, Khan said such actions could have serious consequences for democracy. She stressed that allowing or encouraging public anger to be directed at media professionals undermines freedom of expression and creates an atmosphere of fear.
Her comments were made while responding to queries about the attacks on the two media outlets. A press release containing her remarks was published on Tuesday on the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Khan emphasized that journalists and artists play a vital role in safeguarding democratic values, particularly during election periods, and warned that any threat to their safety or freedom could severely harm democratic processes.
