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Bangladesh Faces Escalating Threats to Press Freedom Amid Political Transition
February 5, 2025
February 05, 2025 – Bangladesh –
Since the August 2024 ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s interim government under Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has intensified its crackdown on journalists, particularly those perceived as supportive of the former regime. This repression has led to widespread arrests, legal harassment, and international condemnation.
Among the most prominent cases are those of journalists Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed. On August 21, 2024, the couple was arrested at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport while attempting to travel to Paris. They were charged with murder in connection with their journalistic work, a move widely regarded as politically motivated. Their legal team has filed a complaint with the United Nations, alleging arbitrary detention and violation of international human rights standards.
These arrests are part of a broader pattern of repression targeting journalists aligned with the ousted Awami League government. At least four such journalists remain in detention, facing baseless criminal charges. The Editors’ Council of Bangladesh has condemned the practice of filing mass cases against journalists, warning that it threatens press freedom and creates an atmosphere of fear.
International organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have called for the immediate release of detained journalists and the cessation of judicial harassment. The United Nations has also expressed concern over the arbitrary detention of journalists and the broader implications for press freedom in Bangladesh.
The situation in Bangladesh underscores the critical need for international solidarity in defending press freedom. The ongoing repression serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists in politically volatile environments and the importance of upholding international human rights standards.
Reference –
Legal moves thwarted in Bangladesh as journalists kept in detention
