Rights groups condemn attacks on media, cultural institutions

A group of international rights organisations have strongly condemned recent attacks on media outlets and cultural institutions in Bangladesh, warning that the incidents threaten freedom of expression and democratic participation ahead of the next national election.

In a joint statement today (22 December), the organisations denounced the violent attacks on 18 December on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and the vandalism of the cultural institution Chhayanaut, calling the incidents a grave escalation against independent media, journalists and cultural spaces.

The statement was signed by Access Now, Article 19, Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS), and Tech Global Institute (TGI).

They also expressed alarm over reports that Dipu Chandra Das was publicly beaten to death and burned in Mymensingh's Bhaluka upazila the same night, following allegations that he made derogatory remarks about religion.

Stating that the incidents followed the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a political activist and a leading figure of the July Uprising, who was shot in Dhaka on 12 December and died on 18 December, the groups noted that the targeting of politicians, activists, media houses and cultural institutions at a time of heightened political sensitivity ahead of the 2026 election raised serious concerns about the rule of law and shrinking civic space.

The groups said they were particularly alarmed by reports that journalists and staff were trapped inside the burning newspaper offices and that both print and online editions were temporarily suspended, describing the situation as an unprecedented disruption to the media landscape.

They also said the attack on Chhayanaut reflected a broader pattern of hostility towards cultural institutions and practitioners, revealing an increasingly unsafe environment for artistic expression and diversity of opinion.

"These developments point to a dangerous convergence of online and offline violence, coupled with long-standing patterns of coordinated harassment and state-sanctioned surveillance that have fostered a culture of impunity," the statement reads.

"There has been a documented pattern of attacks on freedom of thought and expression through abuse of the legal system, and intimidation and attacks on bauls, journalists, media workers, and artists throughout this year."

The statement noted that some of the attacks appeared to be fuelled by hate speech and calls to violence on social media, and criticised both technology companies and the authorities for failing to respond effectively.

"These incidents further illustrate a failure of the state to respond promptly and effectively to online hate and incitement, despite well-documented and recurring patterns of hate speech and violent mobilisation.

"While the interim government has promoted extensive cyber law reforms—proposals that have drawn criticism from civil society groups for lacking substance, practicality, and adequate consultation—the persistent spread of incitement to violence online exposes a profound enforcement failure and raises serious concerns about the efficacy of this government's commitments to online safety," they said.

The organisations urged the interim government to ensure immediate and effective protection for journalists, media workers, media houses, and cultural and intellectual institutions across the country, including by deploying adequate security where credible threats exist.

They called for swift, independent and transparent investigations into the attacks on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and Chhayanaut, as well as on other journalists, media workers and artists, and demanded that all perpetrators, planners and instigators be brought to justice through due process.

The statement also urged the government to engage technology companies and social media platforms to take timely and proportionate action against hate speech and incitement to violence, and to work with civil society to ensure user safety and freedom of expression, especially during the election period.

It further urged the authorities to publicly and unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, intimidation and harassment against media and cultural institutions, and to guarantee a safe environment for journalism, cultural expression and civic participation, both offline and online, ahead of the 2026 national election.

The groups also called for national laws, policies and practices to be aligned with constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations, including the ICCPR, to safeguard freedom of expression, media freedom and personal security.

"We stand in solidarity with Bangladesh's journalists, media workers, artists, and diverse communities, and reiterate our commitment to defending freedom of expression, accountability, and the rights of communities to participate safely and freely in civic and cultural life— both offline and online," read the statement.