26 May 2004

Alert

International PEN concerned that journalist is being detained for his writings


Incident details

Salah Uddin Shoaib Chaudhury

editor(s)

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Chaudhury, who has been held since 29 November 2003 on espionage charges. Chaudhury is known for his work to improve relations between Muslim countries and Israel, and it is widely believed that his detention is connected to articles published in his magazine calling on Bangladesh to recognise Israel and advocating greater understanding between religions.

According to PEN's information, Chaudhury, editor of the tabloid weekly "Blitz", was arrested by security personnel at Zia International Airport, Dhaka, on 29 November 2003 on espionage charges. Chaudhury was reportedly on his way to Israel to participate in a conference with the Hebrew Writers Association when he was arrested. Chaudhury is believed to have been going to address a writers' symposium in Tel Aviv entitled, "Bridges Through Culture", and was scheduled to speak about "the role of media in establishing peace". Bangladesh has no diplomatic relations with Israel and travel to Israel is illegal for Bangladeshi citizens. Intelligence forces claim that documents found in Chaudhury's briefcase, in particular the text of his speech and reports on the human rights situation in Bangladesh, provide evidence to support the charges against him. He is accused of having links to an Israeli intelligence agency and is said to have been under surveillance for several months. Chaudhury denies the charges.

Chaudhury has written articles against anti-Israeli attitudes in Muslim countries and about the rise of al-Qaeda in Bangladesh, which reportedly sparked debate in the Bangladeshi press and government prior to his arrest. Chaudhury was recently named head of the Bangladeshi branch of the International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace (IFLAC), an organisation of writers who campaign for peace.



Source:

Putting free expression issues in perspective.

Sign up to receive IFEX In Context.

Updates to this story

Journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Chaudhury to stand trial for sedition 27 February 2006

More on this case

CPJ calls for charges against Bangladeshi journalist to be dropped 27 May 2005 Journalist released on bail after 17 months behind bars but concern for his safety remains 4 May 2005 Authorities proceed in sedition case against journalist 23 February 2005 CPJ condemns journalist's ongoing detention 1 December 2004 CPJ condemns ongoing imprisonment of journalist 29 June 2004 Magazine editor held on charge of spying for Israel 2 December 2003

At a glance

Bangladesh
Bangladesh

IFEX members working in this country 1

 
Key reports and information
  • Slideshow: Is Bangladesh spiraling out of control?

    As political turmoil continues between Islamists and secularists in Bangladesh, the climate for press freedom is rapidly deteriorating. The tensions stem from an ongoing war crimes tribunal tasked with prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, and other crimes dating back to the 1971 war of independence.

    Committee to Protect Journalists 19 April 2013

  • Press Freedom Index 2011-2012: Bangladesh

    Ruling party and opposition groups combine to make country the 50th worst violator of press freedom in the world

    Reporters Without Borders 26 January 2012

 
IFEX is a global network of committed organisations working to defend and promote free expression.
Permission is granted for material on this website to be reproduced or republished in whole or in part provided the source member and/or IFEX is cited with a link to the original item.