Washington, April 28: An international organization advocating for independent journalism has called on the Bangladeshi government to release four journalists currently imprisoned. These journalists were detained during the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. The group insists that the government should withdraw politically motivated charges against them and fulfill its electoral promise by ensuring their release.
In a letter addressed to Bangladesh’s Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Mohammad Asaduzzaman, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged the government to free Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mojammel Haque Babu, and Shyamal Dutta. All four have been held for over 18 months on murder charges.
The letter stated that no credible evidence has been presented against them, and no formal charges have been filed. According to CPJ, the actions taken by the previous interim government appear to be retaliation for their alleged political affiliations. Even after nearly 600 days in custody, police have failed to file charges substantiating the accusations against the journalists.
The letter continued, “The four have been detained for more than 18 months; they face murder charges, yet no solid evidence has been provided. Documentation has been submitted, family testimonies have been taken, and international lawyers have reviewed the cases, but no charges have been filed. The pattern of these cases seems to be constructed around the journalists’ reporting and their alleged political connections—contrary to the claims of your administration to uphold press freedom.”
CPJ expressed deep concern over the humanitarian conditions of the detained journalists, warning that their continued incarceration without proper medical care poses a serious threat to their health and safety.
The letter further noted, “Rupa was placed in a reserved ‘cell’ for death row inmates for two weeks in November 2024. Dutta suffered a stroke just days after his arrest on September 16, 2024, a fact that was not immediately communicated to his family. He has a medical history of heart issues and severe sleep apnea, which have not been adequately addressed in custody.”
It added, “Babu, arrested on the same day in September, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent major invasive surgery at the end of 2023. However, he has not received necessary follow-up care, putting him at risk of undetected cancer recurrence.”
CPJ has appealed to the government to drop charges against the four journalists and consider allowing them to return to their families. The letter concluded with hope that the relevant ministry will not neglect their health and will ensure their well-being before any decisions are made.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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