“Bangladesh media in fear after PM’s (Prime Minister’s) ‘people’s enemy’ attack,” ran a story by the prestigious Guardian in an article on May 1, 2023, narrating the highly deplorable state of the media in the country. The story cited a few cases of gruesome persecutions of journalists under the draconian Digital Security Act (DSA), which was aimed at penalizing people for criticizing the regime, its random corruption, and wide-ranging wrongdoings. Even a parody line against the ruling family landed people, including minors, in the crowded jails. Some of them succumbed to torture and mistreatment by the fearsome Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and notorious police.
(Please see the Guardian story @ Bangladesh media in fear after PM’s ‘people’s enemy’ attack | Global development | The Guardian).
The story was in reference to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s venomous outburst on the parliament floor on April 10, 2023, against the Prothom Alo, the nation’s largest daily. It’s crime: it dared to expose the high cost of living that went beyond the reach of ordinary people. Immediately after the PM’s incendiary rhetoric in the parliament, a group of her sycophants rushed to the Prothom Alo head office, vandalized its front office, and threatened to torch it.
The Coalition for Human Rights & Democracy in Bangladesh (CHRD Bangladesh) had earlier issued statements and addressed letters to various authorities condemning these persecutions and other democratic and human right violations on the media sector and others in Bangladesh. Following are some of the links:
- Statement Against Continued Persecution of Journalists Under The Digital Security Act In Bangladesh | ChrdBangladesh
- Statement Against Continued Persecution Under Digital Security Act In Bangladesh | ChrdBangladesh)
- Against The Digital Security Act Of Bangladesh | ChrdBangladesh
- Statement On The Persecution Of Media Personalities In Bangladesh | ChrdBangladesh
- Statement on the Blocking of 191 Websites in Bangladesh | ChrdBangladesh
In its briefing on April 10, 2023, the US State Department asserted that “The Digital Security Act is one of the world’s most draconian laws for journalists,” further pointing that Bangladesh dropped to 162 out of 180 (now it dropped further to 163) in the World Press Freedom Index because of this Act.
On the World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2023, eight independent organizations that included Amnesty International, World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS), Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights and Reporters Without Borders, issued a scathing attack against persecution of journalists and critics in Bangladesh. Pointing to the extremely crucial election to be held in a few months in the country, the group said, “The widespread restrictions on freedom of expression undermine the condition for open political debate ahead of the elections.” It noted that 56 journalists have been targeted by the ruling regime during the first three months of 2023 and the journalists in Bangladesh were at risk of arrest and prosecution under the draconian DSA. They asserted that the Bangladesh government’s suppression of free speech and media freedom is inconsistent with Article 39 of the country’s constitution and Article 19 of Bangladesh’s obligation under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The group further demanded that Bangladesh government should:
- Immediately suspend the use of the Digital Security Act pending its repeal or amendment in line with international human rights law.
- Conduct swift, impartial, transparent, and effective investigations into all acts of violence against journalists and hold any suspected perpetrators accountable in fair trials.
- Drop all charges against all who have been accused simply of exercising their right to freedom of expression.
- End harassment of journalists and protect media freedom. Ensure that people can voice criticism and concerns, both offline and online, without fearing sanctions.
- End misuse of laws to curtail the right to freedom of expression in Bangladesh and protect the media’s right to operate freely and independently and respect the public’s right to information through full and unrestricted access to news outlets.
The Coalition for Human Rights & Democracy in Bangladesh is in total solidarity with the above.