CPJ’s special letter to Yunus urging release of journalists on Human Rights Day

1,500 journalists around the world demonstrate in solidarity to demand the release of imprisoned journalists in Bangladesh

Staff Correspondent

After the fall of the Awami League government, honest and uncompromising journalists of the Liberation War and progressive movement throughout Bangladesh have been attacked, physically and mentally tortured, and have been imprisoned for a long time, accused of false cases. Media houses have been occupied. Numerous journalists have been fired. Journalists are living in physical and financial insecurity. Earlier, Reporters Without Borders declared Bangladesh as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists last year.

International human rights organizations have protested against the torture of journalists in Bangladesh and demanded an end to their harassment and torture, but the interim government led by Dr. Yunus is not paying attention to these. This time again, the international journalist and human rights organization, the US-based independent organization Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has strongly protested and called for urgent measures to immediately release journalists imprisoned during the Yunus government and allow them to return to work. In addition, the letter also mentioned that more than 1500 journalists who participated in the Global Investigative Journalism Conference held recently in Malaysia expressed solidarity in demanding the release of imprisoned journalists in Bangladesh and their safety.

CPJ made this strong demand in a special letter to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on the occasion of International Human Rights Day (December 10).

In the letter, the organization specifically mentioned the four journalists arrested in murder cases, alleging that these cases are politically motivated, and that the allegations lack “credible evidence.” CPJ claims that the arrests of journalists are actually retaliatory measures against news reporting and political ideology.

The letter also expressed concern about the conditions in Kashimpur prison. Citing descriptions obtained from family members, it said that the journalists are forced to live in a small 36-square-foot cell behind an iron-barred door; are exposed to cold and mosquito-borne diseases; have to sleep on concrete floors without mattresses; and the food they are given is meager and of poor quality.

CPJ said that some imprisoned journalists suffer from serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea, but there is no regular doctor in the prison. There is almost no access to treatment except for medicines sent by family.
The letter also referred to an interview given by Dr. Yunus to The Daily Star in November 2024, in which he claimed that the previous government had filed summary murder cases against journalists; the interim government led by him has closed that section and formed a review committee to examine the cases.

However, CPJ says that even after the interim government took power on August 8 last year, four journalists – Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Babu and Shyamal Dutta – have faced new murder cases and have been repeatedly denied bail. Even their lawyer ZI Khan Panna has been accused in a murder case.

The organization recalled that freedom of expression is protected under Article 39 of Bangladesh’s constitution, and that the country is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the same right.
Ahead of Human Rights Day, CPJ calls for the release of all imprisoned journalists and urges all political parties to respect press freedom in the run-up to the upcoming national elections. The letter also noted that more than 1,500 journalists who attended the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Malaysia this year have expressed solidarity with this call.