VOICE calls for stronger action against digital violence, protection of journalists

VOICE, a rights-based organisation working on freedom of expression, digital rights, and inclusive civic space, marked Human Rights Day 2025 with a public event in Lalmatia, Dhaka, supported by UNESCO.

The programme followed the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign and brought together journalists, civil society representatives, human rights activists, women leaders, youth groups, and indigenous community representatives to discuss pressing human rights concerns in Bangladesh, with a particular focus on digital violence against women and girls, and journalists' safety following the July Uprising.

Observed globally on 10 December, Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Speakers noted that periods of political transition require heightened vigilance, as civic engagement, dissent, journalism, and activism increasingly unfold online, where new forms of repression have emerged.

Framed within the theme of the 2025 campaign—'End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls First'—the discussion highlighted technology-facilitated violence as a gateway to wider human rights violations. Panellists stated that online harassment, sexualised threats, disinformation, and doxing often lead to offline intimidation, surveillance, and attacks, disproportionately affecting women journalists, activists, and public figures.

The keynote, titled 'Human Rights Situation Analysis: Ending Digital Violence and Defending Journalists', was delivered by Musharrat Mahera, Deputy Director (Programmes) at VOICE. She stated that digital violence violates freedom of expression, privacy, dignity, and participation in public life, and stressed that addressing it is essential to gender justice, media freedom, and the public's right to information. Reflecting on the post-July Uprising context, she noted that unchecked online threats normalise fear, shrink civic space, and weaken accountability.

Nadira Pervin, Programme Manager at Nagorik Uddyog, stated that activism must centre inclusive, co-created spaces to ensure meaningful and sustainable impact. She added that the media has a responsibility to amplify positive stories that build public understanding and collective support.

Human rights analyst and activist, Monjur Rashid, stated: 'Protecting journalists and addressing digital violence must be treated as a human rights obligation. This requires legal reform, accountable institutions, and cross-sector collaboration so that technology strengthens democracy rather than undermines it. Ahead of the national election, political parties must commit to upholding human rights.'

VOICE Executive Director, Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, stated: 'Human rights cannot wait, especially during political transition. When journalists are attacked and women are silenced, society as a whole loses. Ending digital violence and ensuring journalist safety are central to rebuilding trust, justice, and democratic resilience.'

Representing the journalist community, speakers stated that reporters have faced unprecedented risks since July, including physical assaults, confiscation of equipment, arbitrary detention, judicial harassment under cyber and criminal laws, and online smear campaigns. Women journalists were described as facing sexualised threats, targeted attacks on family members, and disinformation aimed at undermining their credibility.

The event concluded with a call for coordinated rights-based action, including recognising digital violence as a human rights violation, reforming laws in line with international standards, establishing gender-sensitive protection mechanisms for journalists, strengthening digital safety and psychosocial support, and ensuring accountability for attacks on media workers.

VOICE reaffirmed that ending digital violence against women and girls is essential to protecting freedom of expression and democratic participation. Speakers stated that as Bangladesh navigates the post-July landscape, safeguarding journalists and centring women's rights are vital to realising the commitments of the UDHR in practice.