According to media reports, on 26 May 2014 a case was filed against A.B.M Mizanur Rahman, the Potuakhali correspondent of Daily Prothom Alo alleging him of extortion and mugging. The case was filed by the president of local Union Jubo League after he has published a news titling ‘the local government’s assistance project in Baufol: remains on papers not in reality’ in the Daily Prothom Alo on 24 May 2014. It has also been known from  media report that,  an online newsperson named Bahram Khan was threatened by  local Member of Parliament (MP) from  Narayanganj- 4 constituency on 28 May 2014, while he called the MP over phone to get  opinion about the 7-murders occurred in Narayanganj .

We have been observing that, while performing professional duty, Journalists are becoming victims of various kinds of threat and intimidation including physical assault and judicial harassment. The repeated occurrence of such incidents is seriously damaging the freedom of expression and of journalists in performing their professional duty. We would like to recall Article-39 of the constitution of Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh which has guaranteed the freedom of expression and of the press. Hence it is the responsibility of state to ensure that everyone including the journalists is entitled to enjoy those rights.

ASK urges the authority to take immediate action against the perpetrators through proper investigation and legal action and also to ensure freedom of expression and of the press.

Press Statement on 29 may 2014-PDF

Human Rights Forum Bangladesh Condemns Arrest of Adilur Rahman Khan : Click to view press statement,

*ASK is the secretariat for the Human Right Forum Bangladesh, a coalition of 19 NGOs in Bangladesh.

The provisions also undermine the essence of the personal liberty of the citizens, freedom of speech and expression and the freedom of the medi1

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses its grave concern over the adoption of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2013 by the parliament on 11 June 2013. ASK considers that the amendment has widened the scope to restraint peoples’ constitutional rights and has the potential to undermine the principles of human rights and democracy.

On 11 June 2013, the Parliament of Bangladesh passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2013.  The bill was placed in the parliament on 3 June 2013, examined by the parliamentary standing committee in a hurried manner and being passed on 11 June 2013. After the enactment, many legal experts, human rights activists and political activists expressed their concerns on the risks of potential misuse of the law. ASK thinks, some of the provisions of this law are contrary to the human rights principles and democratic values. The provisions also undermine the essence of the personal liberty of the citizens, freedom of speech and expression and the freedom of the media. These provisions might be used as an official tool to subjugate the opposition or dissent and to curtail the fundamental rights of the people.

ASK condemns the enactment of such a flawed law and urge the government to amend the provisions contrary to the constitution, peoples’ fundamental rights and democratic values.