By Blind Eye
Agartala, 3rd December 2024: Concerns Grow Over Growing Repression and Attacks on Free Speech in Bangladesh.
Since Dr. Younus assumed office as leader of Bangladesh, he made public promises to support freedom of speech and prioritize the will of the people. However, recent developments suggest that his administration is not living up to these pledges. Instead, there are growing concerns about selective actions that appear to target political opponents and suppress dissenting voices.
The Awami League, Bangladesh’s largest political party, has faced significant pressure. Despite its widespread support, party leaders and activists are being arrested, often on questionable charges. The judicial system seems to be under heavy influence, with decisions reportedly being shaped by the government’s allies, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, rather than independent legal proceedings. As a result, many political figures are unable to receive a fair trial or legal protection.
Beyond arrests, Awami League supporters are also seeing their businesses, homes, and properties destroyed. There have been reports of violent attacks, including vandalism and arson, leading to loss of life. Despite these serious events, citizens seeking help from the police are often ignored, leaving them with no option for justice.
For journalists, the situation is equally troubling. Those who attempt to report on the truth or expose government actions are facing increasing threats and attacks. Many have been physically assaulted, arrested, or subjected to severe pressure to censor their reporting. Some of the key challenges journalists have faced under Dr. Younus’s administration include:
* 154 journalists have been falsely implicated in murder cases.
* 12 prominent senior journalist were arrested, including Chairman and CEO of 71 TV mozammel Babu, General Secretary ofNnational Press Club and editor daily vorar kagoj Shyamol Datta , Shakeel Ahmed and Farjana Rupa Head of news an special correspondent 71 TV
* .* 168 journalists having their accreditation cards revoked.
* 77 journalists losing their membership in the National Press Club.
* 24 journalists have been dismissed from their positions at media outlets.
* 21 journalists, including 3 women, were physically assaulted over the last few months.
* 32 journalists have been accused of being involved in fabricated genocide charges.
In addition to these direct attacks, journalists are reportedly being forced to publish false stories about corruption in an attempt to undermine public trust in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
This growing repression raises serious concerns about freedom of expression in the country. With political leaders and journalists increasingly silenced, many fear that the government’s promise to prioritize the will of the people is being overshadowed by the suppression of government & their allies BNP and Jamati-Islami.
In a recent statement, Mahfuz Anam, the prominent journalist and editor of the leading English newspaper The Daily Star, expressed his deep concern over the increasing repression faced by the media and journalists in Bangladesh. Reflecting on his 53 years of experience in the country, Anam noted that he has never witnessed such an intense level of suppression, including a surge in false cases against journalists, the revocation of accreditation cards, and other forms of harassment.
Anam, who has been a vocal advocate for press freedom, stated that the current environment is alarmingly hostile to the media, a stark contrast to the more open landscape he had witnessed throughout his career. He emphasized that these actions are undermining the fundamental role of the press in holding power to account and ensuring transparency in a democratic society.
His remarks come at a time when many journalists in Bangladesh are facing increasing threats to their safety and freedom, with authorities often resorting to legal and extrajudicial measures to silence dissent.
Anam’s statement highlights the growing concerns among media professionals and civil society about the shrinking space for free expression in Bangladesh. The veteran journalist called on the government to uphold the rights of journalists and ensure that the media can continue to perform its essential role without fear of retribution.
In this critical situation, it is essential for the global community to step in and apply pressure on this unpredictable government. Such intervention is crucial to ensure the well-being and survival of the 170 million people in Bangladesh.”
