A prominent international human rights organization has called on Bangladeshi authorities to dismiss all charges against journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Haque. The organization alleged that the journalists were targeted due to their profession. Amnesty International has urged authorities to respect and safeguard freedom of expression, particularly media freedom, in accordance with Bangladesh’s international human rights commitments.
The appeal follows a recent order by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on May 14, directing the arrest of Ekattor TV journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu, alongside former minister Dipu Moni. This order is linked to a case related to the 2013 crackdown on the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka. Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder’s bench issued the order, sending the accused to jail in connection with the case and setting June 7 as the deadline for the investigation report submission.
Responding to the charges against the detained journalists by the ICT, reportedly tied to a “misleading” report on the 2013 crackdown at Shapla Square, Smriti Singh, South Asia Regional Director of Amnesty International, emphasized the importance of freedom of expression. Singh highlighted that journalists should not face repercussions for their opinions or perceived political affiliations. Farzana and Mozammel, already in detention, now confront “vague new charges” related to a story aired over a decade ago.
Singh emphasized that arresting journalists in a case concerning crimes against humanity undermines press freedom principles and poses a threat to journalists’ right to report without fear of retaliation. The tribunal’s handling of fair trial and due process issues, as well as its imposition of the death penalty, has drawn significant criticism, which Amnesty International opposes in all instances.
An international press freedom group, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), recently urged Bangladeshi authorities to cease using the ICT to target journalists and to release Farzana and Mozammel promptly. The ICT was established in 2010 during Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government to address crimes from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War against Pakistan. Following the political transition in August 2024, the CPJ noted that the tribunal was reconstituted, and the law was amended to prosecute individuals associated with the Awami League government, including Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025.
