(RSF/IFEX) – In a 27 October 1999 letter to Bangladeshi Home Affairs Minister Mohammed Nasim, RSF protested the attacks carried out by policemen and political activists against at least fifteen journalists on duty. RSF asked him “to punish those responsible for the attacks and to ask riot police and political parties to respect the right […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a 27 October 1999 letter to Bangladeshi Home Affairs
Minister Mohammed Nasim, RSF protested the attacks carried out by policemen
and political activists against at least fifteen journalists on duty. RSF
asked him “to punish those responsible for the attacks and to ask riot
police and political parties to respect the right of journalists and media
workers to cover meetings and demonstrations safely.” In addition, RSF
reminded Nasim “that press freedom also depends on journalists’ safety being
guaranteed.”
**Updates IFEX alert of 27 October 1999**
On 21 October, during a nationwide shutdown called by opposition parties,
three journalists were hurt in Dhaka, one seriously, when a home-made bomb
exploded. Amran Hossain of the “Daily Star”, Rafiqur Rahman of Reuters Photo
and Khalid Haider of “Dainik Dinkal” were taking pictures of the opposition
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) demonstrating near the party
headquarters. Several bombs were hurled from a rooftop in the direction of
riot police. Three policemen were also injured. Hossain was seriously
injured and treated in hospital. Police failed to identify who launched the
attack on the journalists.
On 22 October, at least twelve cameramen and photographers were beaten by
policemen in a Dhaka street. Press workers were covering riots between
police and Islamic extremists. Policemen, who grew angry when they were
filmed attacking Islamic militants with truncheons and rifle butts, chased
the cameramen away from the scene of the clash and beat them with
truncheons. According to RSF’s information, the journalists beaten were: Joy
of “Banglabazar”, Abdur Razzak of “Dainik Sangram”, Enamul Huq Kabir of
“Muktakantha”, Subir of “Dainik Arthaneeti”, Salimullah Salim of “New
Nation”, Bulbul Ahmed of “The Independent”, Faruque Ahmed of UNB, Swapan
Sarker of “Dainik Banglar Bani”, Matiur Rahman Tuku and Mamun Talukder, both
of “Ajker Kagoj”.
On 22 October, militants of the ruling Awami League raided the Press Club in
Barisal, southern Bangladesh. No one was injured during the attack but
properties were ransacked. Police arrested twenty-seven political activists,
including Panama Faruk, who was wanted for several other crimes, but leaders
of the Awami League did not condemn the attack. The Barisal Press Club and
Barisal Union of Journalists jointly announced a seven-day protest.
