Tapas K. Baul

Int’l Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against #Journalists: A Climate of Fear Remains a Constant for Journalists in #Bangladesh. Two journalists have been shot dead in Bangladesh over the past 12 months. As the world observes the Int’l Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists today, statistics paint a deeply troubling picture of press freedom environment in Bangladesh. Journalists continue to face violence, intimidation, harassment and physical assaults. Data from two human rights organisations reveals that attacks against journalists have increased dramatically, with little indication of improvement. Attacks on Journalists Have Increased Tenfold According to the Human Rights Support Society (#HRSS), Bangladesh recorded just 32 attacks on journalists in 2017. That number has risen sharply over the years, reaching 318 in 2025, almost ten times the 2017 figure. The situation remains deeply concerning in 2026. In the first nine months of this year, HRSS documented 288 attacks against journalists, with 518 subjected to assault or harassment, and 297 injured. Change of Government, But No Improvement There was some optimism that the situation might improve following the departure of the Interim Government. Unfortunately, that proved short-lived. Between July and Sep 2026, HRSS recorded 88 attacks on journalists. This is slightly higher than the 84 attacks recorded during the corresponding period in 2025 and exactly double the 44 incidents in 2023. Hundreds of Journalists Harassed Every Year Data from Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), which records individual victims rather than incidents, reinforces this disturbing pattern. According to ASK: - 381 journalists faced harassment in 2025. - 315 journalists faced harassment between January and September 2026. With three months of 2026 still remaining in the reporting period, the figures already indicate another deeply troubling year for journalists’ safety. Harassment by LEAs Rising Alarmingly One of the most disturbing developments is the sharp increase in harassment of journalists by law enforcement personnel. According to ASK, such incidents have risen consistently: 2024: 15 2025: 23 Jan–Sep 2026: 42 The 42 cases documented in just nine months of 2026 already exceed the annual total recorded in any year since at least 2017. Intimidation by Political Activists Continues Harassment by political activists continued its dangerous trend. In 2025 and 2026, almost all reported incidents of politically motivated harassment were attributed to #BNP and #JamaatEIslami activists. Between Jan and Sep 2026 alone, BNP was involved in 27 cases, while Jamaat in 22 cases. Together, these two parties accounted for 49 reported cases during the first nine months of 2026. Including incidents surrounding the Feb election, the total no. of attacks is on course to reach 67 this year, potentially the highest annual figure since 2018. Physical Assaults More Than Doubled Another particularly worrying trend is the sharp rise in physical assaults. According to ASK, 54 journalists were physically assaulted in 2024, rising to 118 in 2025, and 88 in the first 9 months of 2026. Ending Impunity These are not merely statistics. Each incident represents an attack on an individual's safety, professional independence and ability to report freely. The statistics point to a disturbing reality: Bangladesh's journalists remain vulnerable to violence, intimidation and harassment, irrespective of changes in political leadership. The continued involvement of political activists and the alarming rise in harassment by law enforcement agencies highlight the failure to establish an environment in which journalists can perform their professional responsibilities without fear of retaliation. Violence against journalists must end. Those responsible must be held accountable, regardless of their political affiliations or official positions. Report: thedailystar.net/news/bangla… …

#Bangladesh: Arrests Over ‘Joy Bangla’ Slogan Raise Serious Concerns About Freedom of Political Expression. At least 84 people detained in 13 reported incidents between 18 February and 31 October 2026; two additional alleged detentions remain disputed. The arrest and detention of dozens of people in Bangladesh in connection with chanting the slogan “Joy Bangla” raise serious concerns about the protection of freedom of expression, political opinion and peaceful assembly under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (#BNP) government. Previously, we shared research by “The Dacca” which showed that at least 30 people have been arrested in the last eight months for criticising the Prime Minister, his family members, and BNP ministers and MPs. Today, we present our own research into arrests during the same period simply for uttering the slogan “Joy Bangla”. A review of news reports covering the period from 18 Feb to 31 Oct 2026 identifies at least 13 incidents involving 84 people taken into police custody following allegations related to chanting “Joy Bangla”. Two additional alleged temporary detentions in a separate incident remain disputed, bringing the broader reported figure to 86 people across 14 incidents. These incidents occurred in a variety of settings, including Independence Day commemorations, funeral prayers, university premises, court compounds, police stations, political gatherings and public demonstrations. Particularly concerning is the misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Act in several cases involving political slogans. The available reports raise questions about the misuse of criminal law to penalise peaceful political expression rather than address genuine threats to public safety. (A list of the major incidents is provided separately in the next post). Freedom of Expression Cannot Be Selective Freedom of expression is not limited to popular, neutral or government-approved opinions. It protects political speech precisely because such expression may be controversial, unpopular or opposed by those exercising state power. Article 39 of the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees freedom of thought and conscience and protects freedom of speech and expression, subject to constitutionally permitted restrictions. Bangladesh is also a party to the Int’l Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 19 protects freedom of opinion and expression, Article 21 safeguards peaceful assembly, and Article 9 prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention. Under both constitutional as well as int’l human rights law, restrictions on political expression must satisfy the requirements of legality, legitimate purpose, necessity and proportionality. Merely expressing support for a political party, historical figure or ideological position cannot, by itself, justify arrest or criminal prosecution. Even where a political organisation has been prohibited or its activities restricted, individuals retain their fundamental rights. The mere utterance of a slogan associated with such an organisation does not automatically constitute participation in unlawful activities or establish criminal liability. Calls for Immediate Action In light of the documented incidents, BDWatch urges the Bangladesh Government to end arrests and prosecutions based solely on peaceful political expression, including the chanting of political slogans, irrespective of the political organisation or ideology associated with them. BDWatch further urges a review all cases involving arrests linked to the “Joy Bangla” slogan, discontinue proceedings unsupported by evidence of a recognisable criminal offence, and release individuals detained solely for exercising protected rights. (Research period: 18 February–31 October 2026. Figures are drawn from identified news reports and include people taken into police custody, not exclusively those formally arrested) BDWatch | 01 November 2026 … @Irenekhan @hrw @amnestysasia @ESandersFCDO