Since the interim government of Bangladesh took office, the country’s law and order situation has severely deteriorated. Press freedom has been curtailed, media ownership has been taken over, and numerous journalists have lost their jobs.
Now, all types of temporary entry passes to the Bangladesh Secretariat for private individuals have been canceled, except for the permanent access passes issued to officials and employees working in the Secretariat and temporary passes issued to government officials and employees. Even journalists’ accreditation cards will no longer grant them access to the Secretariat until further notice.
On Friday, December 27, 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed this information in a press release. The order was issued in response to the security concerns arising from the recent fire incident at the Secretariat, the statement said.
According to the press release, in the interest of enhancing overall security at the Bangladesh Secretariat, all types of temporary Secretariat entry passes for private individuals have been revoked, except for the permanent access passes (Digital Access Control System) issued to Secretariat employees and temporary passes for government officials and employees. The accreditation cards issued to journalists for Secretariat access have also been canceled until further notice.
The statement further mentioned that holders of the canceled Secretariat entry passes in various categories could reapply for new temporary passes within the next 15 days through a special cell established by Bangladesh Police at the Crime Command and Control Center, DMP, 15 Abdul Gani Road, Dhaka.
Last year, during the so-called anti-discrimination student movement, militant students attempted to obstruct justice for the killing of 3,200 police officers. Upon assuming office, Bangladesh’s interim government’s chief advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, declared indemnity to halt these trials. From August 5 to August 8, the Yunus government effectively blocked justice for all crimes, including murder, torture, killings of minority Hindus, seizure of their properties, and assassinations of Awami League leaders and activists. The government granted bail to militants from prison, and numerous shrines and temples were vandalized.
To prevent journalists from reporting on these incidents, the government silenced the media. Signs of extreme lawlessness include the daily discovery of numerous dead bodies. False cases are being filed against journalists, and the Yunus government has frozen their bank accounts and summoned their financial records.