(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Continuing assaults on journalists in Bangladesh unacceptable, says IFJ The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, today condemned an attack on journalists by political activists in Bangladesh. “Attacks and threats to journalists by those who do not like their […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release:
Continuing assaults on journalists in Bangladesh unacceptable, says IFJ
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, today condemned an attack on journalists by political activists in Bangladesh.
“Attacks and threats to journalists by those who do not like their views are totally unacceptable and represent a curtailment of press freedom,” said IFJ President Christopher Warren, who demanded that immediate action be taken against the guilty.
According to information received by the IFJ, on July 17 cadres of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the ruling party’s student wing, assaulted a journalist at Jahangirnagar University (JU) and threatened three others with death for writing reports against them.
About 35 JCD members pounced upon Alamgir Swapan, staff reporter of the Janakantha newspaper, on the Social Science faculty premises. The attackers led by JU unit JCD organising secretary Robiul Islam Robi and Tanjil, a second-year student of botany, reportedly also threatened three university correspondents with death.
However, Nur Siddiqui, Fuad Hossain and Emran Hossain Emon, JU correspondents of the Prothom Alo, the Ajker Kagoj and The Daily Star newspapers, were not present at the scene.
The attack on Swapan and threats to the others come soon after another brutal attack on Rafiqul Islam, a correspondent for daily Amar Desh in Rajshahi, who was assaulted on July 6 by JCD activists. Ten attackers entered the Durgapur Press Club and assaulted Rafiqul, who is also president of the Club. Nurul Islam, the club’s general secretary, was also attacked when he tried to intervene.
Disturbingly, Rafiqul had filed a complaint with the police after he received warnings not to report on alleged extortion by JCD cadres. Yet, no protection was offered.
The IFJ voiced its support to the JU correspondents who have given a seven-day ultimatum to the vice-chancellor demanding punishment of the JCD cadres involved in the incident.
“We stand in solidarity with the journalists protesting this deplorable attack. Journalists must be allowed to operate in an environment free from intimidation, and those who violate this right must be immediately punished,” said Warren.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.
