A Bangladesh-based journalists’ organization has demanded the immediate release of imprisoned journalists, withdrawal of criminal cases against media professionals and reinstatement of journalists dismissed from their jobs following the political upheaval of August 2024.
The Anti-Repression Journalists Front made the demands during a human chain protest outside the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday, October 16, accusing the previous administration led by Muhammad Yunus and the current government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of continuing a pattern of repression against journalists.
The organization alleged that journalists had been subjected to arbitrary arrests, politically motivated murder cases, physical assaults, dismissals, cancellation of accreditation cards and restrictions on their professional activities.
It claimed that 52 journalists had been arrested, 446 had been implicated in murder cases and at least 118 had suffered physical attacks while performing their professional duties.
The figures were presented by the organization’s member secretary, Sheikh Jamal, during the demonstration.
The protest was chaired by the organization’s convener, Akter Hossain, and conducted by Sheikh Jamal.
Four Senior Journalists Held for More Than Two Years
Speakers expressed particular concern over the continued imprisonment of four prominent journalists: Shakil Ahmed, Farzana Rupa, Shyamal Dutta and Mozammel Babu.
According to the organization, the four have remained behind bars since their arrests in August and September 2024.
More than two years later, their families continue to face uncertainty about their detention and legal proceedings, the speakers said.
The organization alleged that prolonged imprisonment had seriously affected the journalists’ physical and mental health.
It also expressed concern about the impact of their detention on their children and other family members.
Speakers said the journalists had been named among hundreds of defendants in multiple murder cases, but investigations and trials had made little progress.
Despite the alleged lack of progress, their applications for bail had repeatedly been rejected, the organization claimed.
The speakers also raised concerns about allegations of crimes against humanity brought before the International Crimes Tribunal against Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa.
They argued that aspects of the journalists’ reporting, broadcasting and professional activities had been cited in support of the allegations.
The organization warned that treating legitimate journalistic work as evidence of crimes against humanity could have serious implications for press freedom and the safety of media professionals.
Organization Accuses Yunus and Tarique Governments of Repression
Speakers at the demonstration accused the Yunus administration of initiating a campaign of repression against journalists after assuming power in August 2024.
They characterized Yunus’s rise to power as the result of domestic and international conspiracies and alleged that his administration targeted independent-minded people across different professions.
According to the speakers, hundreds of journalists subsequently faced legal harassment, physical attacks, criminal cases, cancellation of accreditation cards and dismissal from their jobs.
They also accused the former administration of encouraging violence against journalists, including killings.
The organization alleged that the current BNP government under Tarique Rahman had continued the same pattern of repression.
These accusations represent the organization’s position and were not accompanied by independently verified evidence establishing government responsibility for the alleged abuses.
Arrests of 52 Journalists Alleged
Sheikh Jamal said 52 journalists had been arrested across Bangladesh since August 2024, with several still in prison.
He identified those arrested as including Shahriar Kabir, Mozammel Babu, Shyamal Dutta, Shakil Ahmed, Farzana Rupa, Sheikh Jamal, Manjurul Alam Panna, Anis Alamgir, Sheikh Imon Ahmed and Gazi Tushar Ahmed.
Jamal said the arrests and alleged mistreatment of Gazi Tushar Ahmed and Sheikh Imon Ahmed had created fear among journalists.
He also condemned the shooting death of journalist Lutfuzzaman Alif in Netrokona and demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.
Fifteen Journalists Killed, 118 Assaulted, Group Claims
The organization alleged that 15 journalists had been killed during the period covered by its allegations.
Jamal named Mehedi Hasan, Shakil Hossain, Tahir Zaman, ATM Turab, Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, Sohel Akhanji, Azahar Ali and Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir among those killed.
He also claimed that 118 journalists had experienced physical harassment or attacks while carrying out professional assignments.
Among those named were Sumanta Chakraborty, Mehedi Mamun, Abdur Rahman, Prabir Das, Shyamal Nandi, Meherul Sujan and Mahfuzur Rahman Shishir.
The organization demanded accountability for attacks on journalists and action against those responsible for the killings.
Murder Cases Filed Against 446 Journalists
Jamal alleged that 446 journalists across Bangladesh had been named in murder cases, including senior journalists working for national newspapers and television channels.
He said the cases remained active.
The organization also alleged that editors, television news executives, reporters and correspondents had been dismissed from media organizations across the country.
It further claimed that editorial positions at several media outlets had been taken over following the political changeover.
According to Jamal, offices of numerous media organizations had been attacked, vandalized or set on fire.
He named Bangladesh Television, Ekattor TV, Somoy TV, DBC News, Gaan Bangla, ATN News, ATN Bangla, MyTV, Bijoy TV and News24 among the affected broadcasters.
He also named Amader Orthoneeti, Amader Natun Somoy, Dainik Mukhpatra, Kaler Kantho, Bangladesh Pratidin, Daily Sun, Banglanews, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star among the affected news organizations.
Accreditation Cards Revoked, Bank Accounts Frozen
The organization also raised concerns about restrictions imposed on journalists outside criminal proceedings.
Jamal alleged that journalists’ government accreditation cards had been revoked on an unprecedented scale.
He claimed that the memberships of approximately 700 journalists at the National Press Club and other press clubs across Bangladesh had been suspended or cancelled.
According to the organization, those restrictions remained in effect.
Jamal further alleged that more than 50 journalists were subject to unlawful restrictions on leaving Bangladesh.
He said the bank accounts of 47 journalists had also been frozen unlawfully and remained inaccessible.
The organization demanded an end to the restrictions, restoration of professional rights and the reinstatement of journalists who had lost their jobs.
Journalists Demand Release, Withdrawal of Cases
The demonstrators called for the immediate release of journalists still in detention and the withdrawal of cases they described as politically motivated.
They also demanded the reinstatement of dismissed journalists and the restoration of accreditation cards, press club memberships and other professional rights.
Among those attending the demonstration were the organization’s joint convener Zakir Hossain Imon and members Sajeda Haque, AKM Obaidur Rahman, Ragebul Reza, Wareshunnabi Khandaker, Naimur Rahman Swapan, Hasnat Shaheen, Rahima Khanam, Shafiur Rahman, Majedul Islam Papel, Sujit Sajib and Ramzan Ali.
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