09/07/25
In an unprecedented call for action, Bangladeshi journalists around the world have joined forces to call for an end to the oppression of the media and respect for freedom of speech in their home country.
Their appeal was signed by 88 expatriate journalists, writers, teachers, researchers and cultural and rights activists, and co-ordinated in Canada by Shaugat Ali Sagor, publisher and editor in chief of the Notundesh online newsportal. The appeal states:
“We, the expatriate journalists, writers, teachers-researchers, cultural and rights activists, are deeply concerned to observe that since August 5 of last year, our beloved motherland, our dear homeland, has witnessed indescribable persecution against our long-time fellow journalists, our brothers and sisters. At the same time, in today’s Bangladesh, various written and unwritten controls are being imposed on the media and social media to suppress freedom of expression, which we consider to be an extremely shameful and despicable step.
“Although we live abroad, we remain concerned about the well-being of our country as always. Therefore, we consider it our moral duty to criticise and protest against any harm to the country.
“During the 11 months of the current interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, there has been ongoing persecution of journalists at various levels and through various processes. According to the information received so far, in the past 11 months:
* At least 412 journalists have been made defendants in various harassment cases, including murder cases.
* 39 journalists have been arrested.
* Travel bans have been imposed on over three hundred journalists.
* Bank accounts of over a hundred journalists have been seized.
* Harassment cases of corruption have been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission.
* Over a thousand journalists across the country, including in Dhaka, have been dismissed from their jobs.
* Press accreditation cards of 168 journalists have been canceled.
* Membership of 101 journalists has been suspended, canceled, or expelled from press clubs across the country, including the National Press Club.
* Unprecedented incidents like media takeovers have occurred in Bangladesh.
“During the July-August movement and in the subsequent period, 10 journalists were killed and countless journalists were injured, but the government did not extend any assistance to the affected journalists or their families; rather, the scope of persecution has only expanded. The people of the country have also witnessed an unprecedented incident like ‘Jeafot’ where a mob was created in front of a newspaper office to slaughter cows.
“This is probably a rare incident not only in Bangladesh but in the entire world. As a result of these persecutions and oppressions, many journalists and their families are suffering indescribable mental, social, and economic hardships and are living subhuman lives. Needless to say, the mentioned numbers are constantly increasing.
“We believe that these oppressive actions are primarily aimed at suppressing freedom of speech … “
“We believe that these oppressive actions are primarily aimed at suppressing freedom of speech, as a result of which the country’s image has been severely questioned everywhere. Moreover, no initiative has been observed from the government to remedy these blanket cases, job losses, and other oppressive incidents; rather, the opposite has been seen.
“This has raised our suspicion that the government itself is involved in the persecution process. Currently, there is an interim government in power in Bangladesh, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner is in charge as the head of government. Moreover, members of the advisory council have been vocal in the past about protecting journalists’ rights. Yet, today, under their watch, incidents of journalist persecution and suppression of freedom of speech are occurring, which has disappointed and hurt us.
“In the history of our land, such persecution, oppression, job losses, and attempts to silence the media and stop the pens have not occurred before. We are not aware of such incidents happening anywhere in the democratic world. We strongly condemn and protest against the unprecedented persecution of journalists and the suppression of freedom of speech.”
The appeal by the expatriates follows strong challenges to Dr Yunus by journalists on a visit to London in June, and a subsequent denial by the Bangladeshi goverrnment of any oppression. Read full details here:
