9 rights groups urge Tarique to address concerns over press freedom

The Committee to Protect Journalists and eight other human rights organisations have written to Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, urging his government to take steps to protect human rights and uphold press freedom.

The nine rights groups that wrote the letter are Amnesty International, Article 19, CPJ, CIVICUS, FIDH, Fortify Rights, Human Rights Watch, Kennedy Human Rights Center, and Tech Global Institute.

In a joint letter, the groups called on the government to publicly affirm its commitment to press freedom and media independence, release detained journalists, and review cases filed against journalists under cybercrime laws, including the Digital Security Act and Cyber Security Act.

The signatories called for an end to arbitrary surveillance, censorship, and internet shutdowns, and for the government to implement recommendations from the Media Reform Commission that align with international standards on press freedom.

The letter also urged authorities to conduct prompt and impartial investigations into attacks on journalists and news outlets, including the Prothom Alo and Daily Star.

Source: UNB