Awami League

New York, April 1, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists today calls on Bangladeshi authorities to release a detained journalist and probe allegations that he was mistreated in custody. Mizanur Rahman has been in jail since March 17, according to news reports and Rahman’s coworker.

New York, August 21, 2014–Bangladeshi authorities should immediately release the editor of a daily newspaper who has been held for two days without charge, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

It’s not the first time, and it likely won’t be the last: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has demonstrated little tolerance for criticism of its activities. Last week, the tribunal launched contempt of court proceedings against Dhaka-based British journalist David Bergman for his blog posts on the court. 

New York, January 17, 2014–Police in Bangladesh arrested three journalists on Thursday during a raid on the Dhaka offices of the newspaper Daily Inqilab, according to news reports.

New York, July 23, 2013–Authorities in Bangladesh should immediately investigate the role of a member of parliament in a physical altercation with two journalists on Saturday, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

At least five journalists reported being attacked on April 13, 2013, while covering alleged extortion by students at Dhaka University in the capital. News accounts said the students had been extorting money from drivers of vehicles in the surrounding area, but did not offer further details.

As political turmoil continues between Islamists and secularists in Bangladesh, the climate for press freedom is rapidly deteriorating. The tensions stem from an ongoing war crimes tribunal tasked with prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, and other crimes dating back to the 1971 war of independence.