Bangladesh: Citizens demand greater protection of freedom of expression
| Publisher | Article 19 |
| Publication Date | 23 May 2014 |
| Cite as | Article 19, Bangladesh: Citizens demand greater protection of freedom of expression, 23 May 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/538f0d884.html [accessed 7 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a press release issued on 21 May prominent citizens including over 24 academics, rights activists, freedom fighters, writers, musicians and civil society leadership expressed serious concerns at the lack of protection for human rights defenders when speaking out against human rights violations including a series of recent incidents of abductions, enforced disappearances and killing.
Condemning the attempted abduction of Nur Khan of Ain-O-Shalish Kendra last week and the events leading upto it, they said that Nur Khan is well known for speaking out against violations of human rights including the widely reported case of Limon of Jhalikathi, a young student who lost his leg in an encounter with the elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in 2011, and more recently of the seven killings in Narayanganj. They stated that at least a week prior to the attempted abduction Nur Khan was repeatedlywarned against speaking to the media about the recent killings and abductions by unidentified persons claiming to be from a certain law enforcement agency, and that Nur Khan believed his attempted abduction was linked with his protests against the rise in abductions and killings in the country.
The statement read:
"We are deeply disturbed by the lack of protection from the state to ensure that citizens are able to speak freely and without fear, and this includes the right to speak before the media. It is primarily the duty of the state to protect freedom of expression of citizens and this right cannot be restricted by anyone, this is the salient contract between the state and its citizens." They demanded that the Government take appropriate measures for the protection of human rights defenders, journalists and the security of citizens.
The press release was signed by Advocate ZI Khan Panna, lawyer and member of the human rights Committee of the Supreme Court, Afsan Choudhury, journalist and researcher, Khushi Kabir Coordinator of Nijera Kori, Dr. Zafrullah Choudhury , health rights activist, Professor Anu Muhammad, economist, professor Ali Riaz, political analyst and academic, Nurul Kabir editor of New Age, Dr. Fastina Pereira human Rights lawyer, Dr. Firdous Azim and Rehnuma Ahmed, writers, Barristers Sara Hossain, Manzoor Hassan, Jyotirmoy Barua, Meghna Guhathakurta, academic and researcher, Dr. Swapan Adnan, educationist, novelist Shahin Akhter, professor Shahnaz Huda Chairman of Department of Law University of Dhaka, Lubna Moriom, freedom fighter, Shireen Haque, women rights activist, AurupRahee poet and musician, Shirin Lira, advocate, Zakir Hossain, Chief Executive of Nagorik Uddyog, Hana Shams Ahmed, activist and Tahmina Rahman, Director Bangladesh and South Asia, ARTICLE 19.
- See more at: http://www.article19.org/resources.php/resource/37561/en/bangladesh:-citizens-demand-greater-protection-of-freedom-of-expression#sthash.Dh5ql9ph.dpuf
