In a powerful collective voice, nine human rights bodies, led by the Committee to Protect Journalists, have urged Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to prioritize press freedom and human rights protections amid rising concerns over media suppression.
The open letter demands the unconditional release of imprisoned journalists and a thorough audit of prosecutions under draconian cyber laws like the Digital Security Act and Cyber Security Act, which have been weaponized against reporters.
Pointing to risks from ordinances enacted under the previous Yunus-led interim administration, the missive warns of deepening threats to expressive liberties. It details harrowing experiences of creative professionals enduring mob violence, intimidation, and vexatious litigation designed to muzzle them.
‘Not only must laws preserve freedom of expression, but Bangladesh must shield citizens from violent reprisals and legal harassment,’ the organizations assert.
Key demands include ending surveillance overreach, censorship practices, and internet blackouts, while fast-tracking Media Reform Commission proposals that meet international benchmarks.
The groups spotlighted assaults on major news entities such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in late 2025, insisting on prompt and unbiased investigations. They advocate for a fortified National Human Rights Commission to tackle abuses and deter recurrences.
The interim period’s mass arbitrary arrests drew sharp rebuke, with journalist targeting exacerbating free speech vulnerabilities. Escalating crowd violence undermines governance, imperiling minorities and curbing women’s rights under religious pretexts.
Reports of security personnel’s brutality, from Chittagong assaults to torture, underscore persistent rights breaches. The letter concludes with a visionary plea: leverage this tenure for enduring reforms that cement accountability and progress.