If Bangladesh wants to be recognized as a true democracy, the country has to act as one
I have always loved Bangladesh. Ever since I was there for the first time, in 2004. At the time I worked as an intern for the Daily Star, the leading English newspaper of the country. I had never been to that part of the world before. Everything was so different from where I came from. I loved the noise in the streets of Dhaka, the smell of food, the fires on the side of the streets when night fell, I admired the people, hardworking, day and night. And I have never forgotten their kindliness, their smile, when I was lost in the streets of Dhaka, and they had to help me out. Which they always did.
And because I had fallen in love with Bangladesh I came back, always again, over the last 20 years. I was there when the catastrophe of Rana Plaza hit. I collected money in my home country for the victims. I came regularly to visit my journalist friends, to inhale the warm hospitality, to dive into the lush green fields and rolling hills, to discover the wilderness of the Sundarbans. I watched the progress Bangladesh made. Upon one visit I wrote this piece about the beauty of Dhaka – if only one tries to see it. I have been a true friend to Bangladesh over all these years.
That is why it was good news to me when Peace Nobel Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus was chosen beginning of August to lead the interim government of Bangladesh. I admire Muhammad Yunus for his lifelong fight against poverty, interviewed him twice over my career, defended him in my part of the world – when he was criticized at home.
But then my blood froze, when soon after Muhammad Yunus’ appointment I became more and more aware that dozens of murder cases were filed against dozens of journalists, and that some of my dearest journalist friends were even unlawfully thrown into prison, unlawfully accused of murder, unjustified called “fascists”.
Nahid Islam, now “adviser” to Muhammad Yunus, calls all journalists “fascists”, who covered the past government. This young man has no idea what fascism is. We do, in Europa. The truth is much more: Journalists in Bangladesh always had to walk a tight rope, in the last 50 years. Because there was always danger from one side or another. But walking a tight rope doesn’t turn journalists into “fascists”, and it never ever justifies throwing them into jail and call them “murderers” – like it has been done with Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Moazammel Babu and Shyamal Dutta.
Unfortunately, journalists have always made good scapegoats in history. Which means here: It is much easier to blame the students who died in the demonstrations on innocent journalists, instead of the police, who shot them. As of today, more than 100 journalists have been charged with instigating murder of killings that occurred between beginning of July and mid-August. Even though the Bangladeshi constitution guarantees the freedom of the press in Article 39. Therefore, journalists cannot be charged with instigating murder as it is being done now.
And I ask myself: Is the Bangladeshi constitution not worth the paper it has been written on? And how is it possible that these despicable actions are happening under Muhammad Yunus leadership? Why doesn’t a Peace Nobel Prize Winner protect the freedom of the press, protect free speech, protect my journalist friends?
And I am also confused: Didn’t the students who brought about the change promised to turn a page? And if so: Why are they then making the same mistakes as their predecessors? Use journalists as scapegoats for actions they have nothing to do with? Intimidate them, beat them up, put them behind bars?
If Bangladesh truly wants to open an new chapter, wants to be recognized as a modern democracy, then the country has to act as one: Which means foremost protecting basic human rights, protecting the freedom of the press, guaranteeing free speech, and most importantly: making everybody feel safe in the country – not just yourself, because you are in power right now – and stop once and for all this regime of fear and repression.
And because I still believe in Bangladesh, still want to be able to love it as I have done over so many years, I urge you to drop all filed cases against journalists, free those who are imprisoned for no reason other than being journalists. And protect them so they can work in safety again – as we do in my country.
Because the free media people are a pillar of any true democracy. That is why we journalists are called the 4th force of a democracy. If you are afraid of this 4th force and throw journalists in jail – just because they are journalists – you are not a democracy. Will never be.
Prove to the world, that you are indeed turning a page in Bangladesh’s history. You will gain reputation and respect, followed by investments from companies, NGOs and governments around the world.
In Agony, your friend
Writer: Charlotte Jacquemart
Senior Editor for Swiss Public Radio, Switzerlan