A group of lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists, academics and civil society members from across the world have issued a joint statement expressing “grave concern” over what they describe as the arbitrary detention and prosecution of journalists in Bangladesh following the political transition of 5 August 2024.
In the statement dated February 22, 2026, the signatories said the cases of Shahriar Kabir, Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Haque Babu, Shyamal Dutta and Anis Alamgir, along with dozens of others, reflect what they termed a “deeply troubling pattern of repression against the press and freedom of expression.”
They alleged that charges brought under sweeping laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act and accusations of crimes against humanity, appear to criminalize legitimate journalistic work and political commentary. The statement further claimed that vague and overbroad legal provisions are being used to silence critical voices, creating what it described as a chilling effect on independent media.
The signatories also raised concerns about procedural irregularities, including repeated denial of bail, inadequate access to legal counsel, and lack of medical care for elderly or ill detainees. They noted that various rights groups have questioned the legality of some detentions and stated that the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had deemed at least one case unlawful.
According to the statement, more than 130 journalists have faced proceedings or accusations, with 27 documented detentions in 19 separate incidents. The group also expressed concern over mass complaints naming 25 journalists in crimes against humanity cases, suggesting what they described as a coordinated effort to intimidate the press.
Particular concern was voiced over the detention of Shahriar Kabir, identified in the statement as a 75-year-old journalist, author, filmmaker and human rights advocate. The signatories said detaining individuals for prolonged periods without trial, including through the practice of “shown arrested” in multiple cases even after bail is granted, undermines the rule of law.
The statement called on the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to immediately and unconditionally release journalists detained solely for their professional work or political expression, drop charges lacking credible prima-facie evidence, ensure fair trial guarantees, cease the use of sweeping anti-terrorism laws against dissent, and invite independent international observers to assess press freedom and rule of law in the country.
The signatories said a free press is fundamental to any democratic society and warned that persecuting journalists sends a dangerous message that critical reporting will be met with repression rather than protection.
Signatories:
Charlotte Jacquemart (Journalist, Zurich, Switzerland); Parvez Hashem (Lawyer and Human Rights Defender, Florida, United States); Sultana Bilkis Nahar Chowdhury (Psychotherapist-Counselor, Manitoba, Canada); Monwara Clark (War Baby from 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, born in Dhaka, currently in Vancouver, Canada); Dastagir Jahangir (Journalist, Washington, USA); Christine Badertscher (Member of the Swiss National Council,
Switzerland); Sue Thompson (Artist and Founder, Global Peace Network, Florida, USA); Shirajum Monira (Doctoral Researcher, Nuclear Physics Division, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland); Yusuf Chowdhury (Freedom Fighter and Engineer, Boston, USA); Advocate Shahanur Islam (Human Rights Advocate, Paris, France); Violet Hader (Editor, Somoyer Shobdo, Bergen, Norway); Tonoy Emroz Alam (Social Worker, Germany); Mohammed Shamim Mridha (Freedom Fighter and President, Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Florida, USA); Rayhan Rashid (Lawyer and Transitional Justice Advocate,
Founder/Trustee, ICSF, UK); Afsana Kishwar (Writer and Activist, Manitoba, Canada); Arman Rashid (IT Professional and Activist, Ontario, Canada); Jannatul Ferdous Nouzula (Public Service Officer and Cultural Activist, Melbourne, Australia); Hasan Mahmud (Tipu) (Associate Professor of Law, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada); Md. Sadique Hasan (Advisor, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway); Saifur Rahman Mishu (Member, Global Justice Network Foundation, Sweden); Ishtiaq Jamil (Professor Emeritus, University of Bergen, Norway); Oliver Classen (Media Director, Zurich, Switzerland); Helene Laube (Business Journalist, San Francisco, USA); Dieter Bachmann (Journalist, Zurich,
Switzerland); Dipen Bhattachariya (Writer and Professor, California, USA); Kuloda Roy (Writer, New York, USA); Ranjana Banerjee (Writer, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada); Farid Ahmed (Writer, Toronto, Canada); Mo Iftekhar Sadique (Accountant and Cultural Activist, Melbourne, Australia); Rimon Chakrabarty (Retirement Super Solutions Administrator and Cultural Activist, Melbourne, Australia); Ehrene Evanova Naadia (Quality Assistant and Cultural Activist, Melbourne, Australia); Nahid Khan (Higher Education Professional,
Ontario, Canada); Sohel S. (Financial Professional, Ontario, Canada); Rahman Khalilur Mamun (Executive President, International Forum for Secular Bangladesh, Geneva, Switzerland); Tuhin Das (Poet, Pennsylvania, USA); Manirul Islam (Activist and Retired Professional, Toronto, Canada); Mo Ashif Rahim (Family Physician, Canberra, Australia); Liaquat Hossain Limon (Blogger and Activist, Stockholm, Sweden); Nadim Iqbal (Photographer, Toronto, Canada); S M Faiyaz Hossain (Freelance Journalist, Australia); Sami Chowdhury (Realtor, Toronto, Canada); Advocate Mohammad Alamgir (Human Rights Advocate, Paris, France); Shayla Ahmed (Lopa) (Human Rights Defender and Executive Director, Humanity First Alliance, Toronto, Canada); Monira Rahman (TDSB School Office Administrator, Canada); Dr. Mahmud Hasan (University Teacher and Researcher, Canada);
Dr. Shamim Ahmed (University Teacher and Public Health Specialist, Canada); Dr. Lubna Turin (University Teacher and Researcher, UK); Dr. Sheikh Iskandar (University Teacher and Researcher, USA); Dr. ATM Shamsuzzohha (University Teacher); Umme Habiba (Barrister & Solicitor, Ontario, Canada); Sima Roy (Barrister & Solicitor, Manitoba, Canada); Sraboni Endow Chowchudy (Retired Counsellor and Banker, Manitoba, Canada); Mamtaz Parvin Mou (Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh); Rashed Mahmud (Communication Specialist, Canada); Zaglul Azim (Cultural Activist, Toronto, Canada); Shahidul Alam (Economist & Journalist, Canada); Goutam Sikder (Assistant Professor and Cultural Activist, Toronto,
Canada); Bidyut Sarker (Writer, Social Activist and Photographer, Toronto, Canada); Niru K Nahar (Professor, Columbus, Ohio, USA); Dr. Shyamol Das (Professor of Homeland Security, Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina, USA); Barrister Tapas Kanti Baul (Senior Associate, South Asia Democratic Forum, Germany); and Nilima Datta (Cultural Activist, Toronto, Canada).
