(Media Watch/IFEX) – The following is a Media Watch press release: FREEDOM OF PRESS: BANGLADESH UPDATE Media Watch Press Release on May 3, 2001 Since 1996, six journalists have been killed in Bangladesh and one was kidnapped and is still missing. No final judgement has been made in any of the killings. On 28 April, […]
(Media Watch/IFEX) – The following is a Media Watch press release:
FREEDOM OF PRESS: BANGLADESH UPDATE
Media Watch Press Release on May 3, 2001
Since 1996, six journalists have been killed in Bangladesh and one was kidnapped and is still missing. No final judgement has been made in any of the killings. On 28 April, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), disclosed that they only have information on about five cases and they all are under investigation.
On 19 June 1998, S M Alauddin, editor of the daily Patradoot of Satkhira was assassinated in his newspaper office. On 12 June 1998, Mr. Bazlur Rahman, a reporter for Din Bodoler kagoj of Chuadanga, was kidnapped and he is still missing. It is believed that he was killed. On 16 July 1998, Rezaul Karim, general secretary of the Kaligonj Thana Press Club of Jhenidah was killed at a local college campus by terrorists. On 30 August 1998, Saiful Alam Mukul, editor of the Daily Runner of Jessore was shot dead when he was on his way from work. On 15 January 2000, Shamsur Rahman, special correspondent for the Daily Janakantha, was assassinated in his office in Jessore by a criminal smuggling syndicate. On 18 April 2001, Mr. Nahar Ali, a correspondent for the daily Anirban of Khulna was stabbed by a gang and died in hospital on 23 April.
According to the IGP:
1. For the Saiful Alam killing, police arrested 20 suspects. After an initial investigation, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) accused 22 in their chargesheet. But Mukul’s wife demands further investigation. No progress has been made so far.
2. For the Shamsur Rahman murder, 18 suspects were arrested and four of them gave a judicial confession. Police have decided to give the chargesheet by 10 May.
No other information has been found on the other cases.
Latest Situation: From 1 January – 30 April 2001:
During these four months, in addition to the killing of Nahar Ali of Khulna, at least 51 other journalists were assaulted, attacked, or shot. Several vehicles carrying journalists were vandalised and at least five journalists were arrested. In Chittagaong, the ward commissioner of the city corporation, who is supported by the ruling party, attacked a newspaper office and assaulted two senior journalists. The Faridpur district correspondent of the daily Janakantha was shot and attacked with knives by criminals and eventually had to have one of his legs amputated. He is fighting for his life in a hospital bed. One of the criminals involved in the case gave a judicial confession, and police said that by 20 May they will give the chargesheet for this case.
THE WORST APRIL
Out of the 51 cases in the first four months of 2001, 17 incidents happened in April alone. On 18 April, Mr. Nahar Ali of Khulna was stabbed and he died on 23 April. On 11 April, several reporters and photojournalists were attacked, wounded and assaulted by the police, opposition and ruling party activists. At least ten transport vehicles carrying journalists were vandalised and a newspaper office was attacked. Four journalists received death threats for their professional work.
For further information, contact BulBul Monjurul-Ahsan, Executive Director, Media Watch, Street Address: 2/3/A, PuranaPaltan, Gr. Fl. Dhaka-1000, Mailing Address: GPO Box 3521, Dhaka, Bangladesh, tel: +880 2 956 7070/880 18 22 3309, fax: +880 2 956 7070, e-mail: media@bdonline.com
