Gonotantrik Odhikar Committee calls for probe into suicide of media staff Swarnamoyee, enforcing anti-harassment policies
The Gonotantrik Odhikar Committee (Democratic Rights Committee) has called for a thorough investigation into the recent suicide of a female graphics designer, who had lodged complaint of harassment against her superior at an online media outlet in Dhaka.
The committee also called for strict enforcement of anti-sexual harassment policies in all workplaces and educational institutions, said a statement issued to the media today (22 October).
The body of Swarnamoyee Biswas, 28, a junior graphics designer at the recently launched Dhaka Stream, was recovered from her home in Dhanmondi on 19 October in what police suspect to be a case of suicide. Her death came months after she, along with 26 other colleagues, lodged a serious complaint against Altaf Shahnewaz, alleging "sexual harassment" and "inappropriate behaviour".
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"We are deeply saddened and shocked by the untimely and tragic death of Swarnamoyee Biswas. Her death once again painfully highlights how unsafe and mentally abusive the workplace remains for women," the statement read.
Despite the filing of complaints to the authorities of Dhaka Stream, the statement said the management failed to take appropriate steps in response. "Colleagues have stated that this negligence left Swarnamoyee mentally distressed and emotionally devastated."
The committee emphasised that post-trauma mental and physical conditions of victims of sexual harassment are rarely considered.
"The law must hold the perpetrator responsible for all consequences resulting from harassment. This is precisely what has happened in this case. Alongside Altaf Shahnewaz, the editor-in-chief and publisher of Dhaka Stream, Golam Iftekhar Mahmud, and those involved in the investigation, must also be considered equally accountable," the statement said.
The committee recalled that in 2009, following student protests against sexual harassment at Jahangirnagar University, the High Court issued a directive to establish an anti-sexual harassment policy.
Under this directive, every educational institution and workplace is required to form a complaint committee to investigate and ensure justice in such cases.
"Yet, like many institutions in Bangladesh, Dhaka Stream has failed to comply with this High Court directive. By retaining the accused in his position and avoiding accountability, the organisation has legitimised such incidents. We strongly condemn the role of Dhaka Stream's management. It is extremely difficult for any self-respecting individual to work in such an environment. Incidents like these contribute to the dropout of women from the workplace and erode their motivation," the statement added.
The committee said that Swarnamoyee's death has exposed the systemic obstacles women face in professional environments across the country. It stressed that it is the government's responsibility to conduct a full investigation and ensure justice.
"We clearly demand a fair investigation into Swarnamoyee Biswas's death, identification of those responsible, and legal action against the individuals and the institution involved. The allegations of sexual harassment must be investigated, and both the perpetrators and the relevant institution must be brought under the law," the committee said.
Signatories of the statement, issued by Marzia Prova on behalf of the Democratic Rights Committee, include Anu Muhammad, Samina Luthfa, Jyotirmoy Barua, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Nazmus Saqib, Ferdous Ara Rumi, Sajib Tanvir, Seema Dutta, Dilip Roy, Taufika Priya, Rafsan Ahmed.
