(Media Watch/IFEX) – The following is a 30 July 2001 Media Watch press release: JOURNALISTS FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES During the previous governmentâs rule, which ended a five-year term on 15 July 2001, journalists in Gouranadi, in the Barisal District (southern part of Bangladesh), were often tortured by militants, mainly belonging to the Awami League […]
(Media Watch/IFEX) – The following is a 30 July 2001 Media Watch press release:
JOURNALISTS FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES
During the previous governmentâs rule, which ended a five-year term on 15 July 2001, journalists in Gouranadi, in the Barisal District (southern part of Bangladesh), were often tortured by militants, mainly belonging to the Awami League (AL) and its student wing, the Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL). At least seven correspondents of national dailies have left Gouranadi over the last five years after being tortured and having their life threatened following news publications on acts of terrorism. They still do not wish to return home since the militants continue to roam freely.
Zahirul Islam of the daily Prothom Alo, Giasuddin of the daily Ittefaq, Mohammed Jamal Uddin of the daily Jugantor and Mohammed Hanif of the daily Provat were physically assaulted by the activists. Asaduzzaman Ripon of the daily Bhorer Kagoj, Khondoker Moniruzzaman Monir of the daily Dinkal and Khondokar Kawsar Hossain of the daily Ajker Kagoj received death threats at different times.
The terrorists are so powerful that the journalists do not dare file complaints against them. Initial queries were made at the local police station but the police have done nothing.
The most recent incident occurred on 16 July, following the publication of a report in the daily Prothom Alo about the kidnapping and rape of a college girl on 18 April. On 16 July, BCL terrorists attacked Prothom Alo correspondent Zahirul Islam, took his wife and daughter at gunpoint and injected poison into his body. Although a complaint was filed following the incident, accusing 20 BCL cadres, police arrested only one of the accused, an individual named Babu.
Zahirul Islam, his wife Sazeda Islam and other members of his family are in hiding while most of the accused, including Rezaul Karim Akhand, roam freely.
A number of Gouranadi-based journalists are now staying in the capital city of Dhaka. They said they became targets of the militants over the last five years because they published news about AL and BCL workersâ activities.
On 12 January 1999, Shamim Ahmed, an alleged drug dealer and who was accused of several murders, threatened to cut off Giasuddinâs hand, following the publication of information about the militant. Giasuddin was then working with the daily Prothom Alo. Shah Alam, Giasuddinâs cousin, was kidnapped after an article was published on the felling of trees by terrorists on the Dhaka-Barisal highway in 2000.
Following another piece of news on terrorist activities, a group of BCL workers stormed into the Gouranadi press club on 18 November, shouting abuses and trying to beat up journalists.
On 18 December, bombs were hurled at Giasuddin’s house following Ittefaqâs publication of an 11 December article about a militant who is a local political party worker.
In addition, activists Saikat Guha Piklu and Feroz Sardar attacked Jamal Uddin at the Gouranadi bus station on 5 June following the daily Jugantorâs publication of information on terrorist activities. They physically assaulted him and advised him to leave Gouranadi immediately. A complaint was filed but no progress has been made in the case to date.
The two terrorists also tried to cut off the finger of Kawsar Hossain, correspondent of the daily Akjer Kagoj, following an article published in that daily about the terrorist activities of four groups. He managed to escape but the BCL workers eventually took over an office owned by Hossainâ s younger brother. On the same day, the militants chased Asaduzzamzan Ripon, correspondent of the daily Bhorer Kagoj, for publishing information about them.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– expressing concern over the torture and ongoing death threats against journalists
– asking them to take action against those who are responsible for the attacks on journalists
Appeals To
Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed
Hon’ble President
Fax: +880 2 96 566 242
Justice Latifur Rahma
Chief Advisor of the caretaker government
Fax: +880 2 8 113 244
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
