**New cases and update to IFEX alerts of 15 and 14 December 1999** (WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: Paris, 23 December 1999 For immediate release WAN Protests Press Attacks in Bangladesh The World Association of Newspapers has asked Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed to take action against the numerous assaults […]
**New cases and update to IFEX alerts of 15 and 14 December 1999**
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release:
Paris, 23 December 1999
For immediate release
WAN Protests Press Attacks in Bangladesh
The World Association of Newspapers has asked Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed to take action against the numerous assaults on journalists in the country, where 35 reporters have been attacked in the last two months.
“We are greatly concerned at the increasing violence being perpetrated against journalists in Bangladesh and respectfully remind you that, according to reports, 35 journalists have been assaulted since 27 October,” WAN said in a letter to Sheikh Hasina.
“Such incidents foster a climate of fear that inhibits journalistic investigation and can promote self-censorship,” said the letter, signed by WAN President Bengt Braun.
The Paris-based WAN asked Sheikh Hasina to investigate the attacks, including some allegedly instigated by members of her ruling Awami League, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Seventeen of the attacks have occurred since December 8, when Awami League militants attacked four journalists covering municipal elections in Kishoreganj, north of Dhaka. Police were forced to intervene to protect Monir Haider of Dainik Janakantha, Muhaamad Alam of Dainik Ajker Kagoj, Saleh Uddin of Manav Zamin, and Amlan Dewan of Bhorer Kagoj, who had criticised voting violations by local authorities.
On December 12, journalist Sanaullah Labloo was assaulted at the offices of the Dainik Prothom Alo newspaper by members of the Awami League and taken to hospital with head injuries.
Also on 12 December, 12 journalists were injured during a demonstration in Chittagong when they were attacked by members of the opposition Islamic Oikya Jote. After opposition leader Izharul Islam made a speech denouncing the press, demonstrators assaulted reporters, seriously injuring Rafiqul Bahar, correspondent for Dainik Prothom Alo, and Helal Uddin, correspondent for Dainik Azadi.
WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 17,000 newspapers; its membership includes 63 national newspaper associations, individual newspaper executives in 93 countries, 17 news agencies and seven regional and world-wide press groups.
