CPJ, partners condemn spate of attacks on journalists in Bangladesh

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have expressed deep concern over recent arrests, harassment, and violence against individuals and human rights defenders exercising their right to freedom of expression in Bangladesh in the last month.

In a joint statement issued yesterday (21 March), the New York-based nonprofit called on the interim government "to guarantee the right to freedom of expression in Bangladesh, which includes but is not limited to protecting people from attacks by non-state actors for exercising their right to freedom of expression."

It said Bangladesh has a history of widespread violations of the right to freedom of expression. "In order to build a rights respecting future, it is essential to break from that past. While the recent attacks are not all by state actors, the government has an obligation to guarantee the right to freedom of expression in Bangladesh, which includes but is not limited to protecting people from attacks by non-state actors for exercising their right to freedom of expression," read the statement. 

Besides CPJ, the other organisations that are named in the joint statement are Amnesty International, Article 19, Human Rights Watch, Forum-Asia, Civicus, Fortify Rights, Front Line Defenders, and Pen America. 

The statement contained specific cases of violent attacks on journalists in February. It said a journalist was attacked with hammers and knives in Shariatpur on 3 February after he reported on claims of medical negligence at a private clinic. 

It also mentioned attacks on journalists on 5 February on the premises of the Supreme Court, reportedly by members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP),  on 9 February in Dhaka covering a protest and on 25 February in Thakurgaon by a BNP leader.

"The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in Article 39 of Bangladesh's constitution and in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Bangladesh has acceded. Additionally, Article 9 of the ICCPR protects the right to liberty and security of persons. Bangladesh should take immediate steps to prevent and investigate patterns of harassment and violence against journalists and others, including by private actors, and to hold perpetrators of attacks accountable," read the statement. 

In the joint statement, CPJ and its partner organisations called on the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that any draft legislation (Cyber Security Ordinance) being considered for adoption undergoes a thorough and transparent consultation process and complies with international human rights law and standards. 

It also sought immediately and unconditionally dropping all criminal charges against people and human rights defenders detained solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression. 

The statement called for an end to the practice of bringing criminal charges against people and human rights defenders exercising their right to freedom of expression and repeal all legal provisions that allow for restrictions on this right based on the protection of religion or religious sentiment. 

It asked to ensure that, pending the repeal or amendment of the Cyber Security Act, no one is arrested or detained under provisions that violate their right to freedom of expression. 

The statement also called on the authorities to unequivocally condemn and promptly investigate attacks against journalists and other media workers and ensure that perpetrators of violence against people and human rights defenders exercising their right to freedom of expression are held accountable in fair and impartial trials without recourse to the death penalty. 

It urged them to protect journalists, other media workers, civil society actors and human rights defenders from harassment, intimidation, or violence from state or non-state groups and enable them to undertake their journalistic activities.