(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is deeply disturbed by the latest brutal assault on photojournalists committed by the Dhaka police. On Friday 22 October 1999, riot police were dispatched to subdue a demonstration held in the capital by Islamic activists. The police turned their batons on two newspaper photographers who were documenting their treatment of the protesters. […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is deeply disturbed by the latest brutal assault on
photojournalists committed by the Dhaka police.
On Friday 22 October 1999, riot police were dispatched to subdue a
demonstration held in the capital by Islamic activists. The police turned
their batons on two newspaper photographers who were documenting their
treatment of the protesters. Babul Talukder, a photographer for “Dainik
Dinkal”, and Mintu, who works for “Dainik Janata”, were both badly beaten.
When other photographers on the scene gathered to complain to senior
officers about the police brutality, dozens of riot police attacked the
group and pummeled them with their batons. Among the photographers injured
by the police in this second assault were Joy of “Banglabazar Patrika”;
Abdur Razzak of “Dainik Sangram”; Enamul Huq Kabir of “Dainik Muktakantha”;
Subir of “Dainik Arthaneeti”; Swapan Sarker of “Dainik Banglar Bani”; Matiur
Rahman Tuku and Mamun Talukder of “Ajker Kagoj”; Bulbul Ahmed of “The
Independent”; Salimullah Salim of “The New Nation”; and Faruque Ahmed of the
United News of Bangladesh agency (UNB).
CPJ is dismayed by the harsh tactics that Bangladeshi police employed to
suppress coverage of their own conduct during a political demonstration. CPJ
has repeatedly written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed noting the
frequent involvement of state actors in such violent attacks against
journalists, but has received no response.
CPJ welcomes pledges by Y.B. Siddique, Bangladesh’s police chief, at a
seminar convened by photojournalists in Dhaka, shortly before the Friday
attacks. According to local journalists, Siddique promised to issue a
memorandum instructing police never to harass, threaten, or assault
journalists for exercising their professional duties. CPJ hopes that last
week’s incident will convince authorities of the urgent need for such
directives.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
will demonstrate her administration’s commitment to press freedom
photographers, and to ensure that the officers found guilty of assaulting
journalists are held accountable for their actions
Appeals To
Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina Wajed
Prime Minister, People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Office of the Prime Minister
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Fax: +88 02 813 244
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
