Martin Roux, Head of the Crisis Desk of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has called on Muhammad Yunus to fulfil his commitment to justice for the murder of six journalists that occurred between July 18 and August 5 last year.
These families await the conclusion of the investigation by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD). But it has been slow to deliver accountability.
โImpunity for these crimes undermines the current transition and the credibility of the transitional government and its leader, Muhammad Yunus,โ Roux said in a statement.
When speaking to Bangladeshi media, the families of these reporters denounced severe delays in the judicial investigations and a lack of adequate financial compensation from the state.
At least 250 media professionals were also injured during the anti-government movement in police gunshots and by the protesters.
Remembering journalist Pradip Bhowmick, killed by protesters in Sirajganj
88 expat Bangladeshis condemn persecution of journalists
After almost a year, the ICT-BD investigations have only led to the brief arrest of two suspects in the murder of Abu Taher Md. Turab. Only two individuals were identified in the investigation into the death of Mehedi Hasan, but one was arrested.
Moreover, the father of Mehedi Hasan and the mother of videojournalist Tahir Zaman Priyo told the media that those accused in the case had made threats against them.
“RSF expresses its solidarity with the families and colleagues of the slain journalists. Their mourning will be endless unless justice is achieved…the International Crimes Tribunalโs silence and lack of action regarding the murders of the six journalists is unacceptable,โ Roux said.
Journalist Masood Kamal: Yunus is dividing the nation, provoking civil war
51 journalists protest threat to press freedom in Bangladesh
On July 18, Shakil Hossain, correspondent for the daily Bhorer Awaj, and Mehedi Hasan, reporter for the Dhaka Times, were killed by police gunfire during separate protests in Dhaka.
Abu Taher, a correspondent for the daily newspapers Naya Diganta and Jalalabad, was killed by police in Sylhet on July 19. On the same day, Tahir Zaman Priyo, a video journalist for TheReport.live, also succumbed to police fire in Dhaka.
On August 4, anti-government protesters lynched Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, correspondent for the daily Khoborpatra, in Sirajganj. On August 5, Sohel Akhanji, reporter for the daily Lokalay Barta, was killed by police fire in Baniachong, Habiganj.
English