Bangladesh’s Editors’ Council has urged authorities and local political parties to ensure the safety of journalists covering the national elections on February 12. The council emphasized the risks journalists face while reporting on elections and highlighted the crucial need for their safety and security during this period.
The Editors’ Council specifically called on the interim government, the Election Commission, and law enforcement agencies to provide security to journalists working during the elections. They also appealed to political parties to play a significant role in safeguarding reporters. The statement, signed by Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud, expressed hope that all stakeholders would prioritize journalist safety.
Political violence in Bangladesh has been escalating ahead of the elections, with a notable increase in casualties reported in January compared to the previous month. According to the human rights organization ‘Ain o Salish Kendra’ (ASK), there were 75 incidents of political violence in January, resulting in 616 injuries and 11 deaths. This surge in violence followed the announcement of the election schedule and the commencement of campaigning on January 22.
The rights group documented a rise in clashes leading up to the polling day, with 414 injuries and four deaths reported in 49 incidents between January 21-31. Journalists have also been targeted amid the escalating political violence, with 16 cases of obstruction or assault recorded in January, up from 11 incidents in December last year. The ASK urged political parties to maintain peace during the campaign and called on law enforcement agencies to protect citizens and uphold their rights.
