‘Yunus Government Is Authoritarian’ — Harsh International Criticism, Says RSF Statement

Statement and concerns from Reporters Without Borders, an international journalist protection organization

Staff Correspondent

The international journalist protection organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has expressed deep concern over the arrest of Bangladeshi journalist Manjurul Alam Panna. The organization said that the arrest of a journalist under the anti-terrorism law for participating in a roundtable discussion is a direct attack on freedom of expression.

Manjurul Alam Panna is the founder and editor of the popular YouTube channel Mantriro. He regularly hosts video reports and discussions on social and political issues.

On August 29, he participated in a roundtable discussion at the auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The meeting was organized by Mancha 71, a civil society-based organization that works to raise awareness about the Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh.

The discussion was about the history of the Liberation War, democracy and the current political situation in the country. But during the meeting, Jamaat-e-Islami activists, supporters of the Yunus government, entered the meeting through mob violence and physically attacked the speakers and participants, calling them followers of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and fascist allies.

Panna himself then called the police and requested them to bring the situation under control. But the police, instead of arresting the attackers, arrested 16 people who had participated in the roundtable discussion, including journalist Manjurul Alam Panna, a professor from Dhaka University, and some brave freedom fighters.

They were later charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 with “involvement in a conspiracy to overthrow the interim government.” Human rights groups and journalist groups condemned the charges as “politically motivated” and “unfounded.”

“The arrest of journalist Panna indicates the growing authoritarian tendencies of the interim government in Bangladesh. Charging a journalist under anti-terrorism laws simply for participating in discussions on history and the constitution is contrary to democratic values,” RSF said in a statement.

“The charges against Panna are completely baseless. She must be released immediately and the use of anti-terrorism laws to intimidate journalists must stop,” said Celia Mercier, head of RSF’s South Asia desk.

The organization further said that this incident is clear evidence of the intolerant attitude of the current interim government of Bangladesh towards independent journalism and expression.

The organization complained that attempts were made to contact the press secretary of the chief advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, but no comment was received on the matter.