(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter addressed to Begum Khaleda Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP, opposition party) chairperson, RSF protested the violent acts committed by her party activists against media professionals. At least three reporters have been assaulted, dozens have been threatened and one newspaper office has been burned down. RSF asked the BNP chairperson […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter addressed to Begum Khaleda Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP, opposition party) chairperson, RSF protested the violent acts committed by her party activists against media professionals. At least three reporters have been assaulted, dozens have been threatened and one newspaper office has been burned down. RSF asked the BNP chairperson to call on her supporters to exercise more restraint during demonstrations. “As Bangladesh enters into an election period, this type of violence can lead to serious fears for the security of journalists,”, noted RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard.
According to information collected by RSF, Galman Shafi and Mashiur Rahman, journalists with “Dainik Bangla Bazar”, and Fazle Azim, reporter with “Dainik Inqilab”, were assaulted on 2 April 2001 by supporters of the opposition party led by the former BNP mayor of Dhaka, Mirza Abbas. While they were covering one of the BNP demonstrations, the journalists had to flee under a hail of blows. At the same time, BNP demonstrators attacked press vehicles in Dhaka streets. The daily “Bangladesh Observer”‘s car was burned and the driver was injured. Demonstrators mainly attacked reporters accused of being “pro-government.”
On the same day, hand-made bombs were thrown at the office of the pro-government newspaper “Ajker Kagoj” in Dhaka. The blasts caused only material damage but the journalists had to evacuate the office. The daily is known for its harsh criticism of the opposition.