Govt must find out those responsible for inciting Prothom Alo, Daily Star arson attacks: UN rapporteur
UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan today condemned the recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, saying the incidents were meant to intimidate the media
UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan today (22 December) condemned the recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, saying the incidents were meant to intimidate the media and urging the government to investigate and identify those responsible.
She made the remarks at an event organised by the Editors' Council at a city hotel.
Referring to the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, Irene Khan said, "Osman Hadi was killed in broad daylight so that a sense of fear is created among us all."
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"I strongly condemn the way public anger was turned into a weapon to attack The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, [with the intent] to intimidate everyone working in the media," she said, criticising the attacks on the two leading newspapers.
Calling the incidents a provocation, she added, "This is a provocation, and it is the responsibility of the government to investigate and reveal who is behind this provocation."
She said the current situation was a "consequence of the failure of this government to take stern action against the way in which freedom of expression is being attacked in this country over the past few months, especially journalists, artists, cartoonists, satirists, all those who dare to speak out."
"This outrage is being directed, and this provocation is happening, against all of us who dare to protest," she said.
Irene Khan called on the government to investigate both the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi and the attacks on media outlets "promptly, impartially, transparently" and to hold those responsible to account through due process.
She also urged the authorities to put in place effective protection and prevention measures to safeguard civil society, especially journalists, in the period leading up to the election.
"If this interim government wants to keep their word that they will conduct a healthy, peaceful and neutral election, then they must uphold the right to freedom of expression," she added.
