UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed worry about the reported assaults on journalists by the military and police prior to the upcoming Bangladesh parliamentary elections. The UN spokesperson emphasized the importance of ensuring a peaceful and inclusive electoral environment in accordance with Bangladesh’s laws and international commitments. The incidents, including the detention of 21 staff members of The Bangladesh Times by the Army and assaults on journalists by the police, have raised concerns about the need for all political actors to uphold fundamental freedoms and reject violence.
Reports of the Army detaining and subsequently releasing employees of The Bangladesh Times, including journalists, have sparked alarm. The UN has refrained from deploying election observers without a mandate but is providing technical assistance through its Bangladesh office to support a successful and participatory electoral process. The situation escalated when Army personnel reportedly took away employees from The Bangladesh Times, citing a video critical of the Army during a recent protest in Dhaka.
The editor-in-chief of The Bangladesh Times Mobile Journalism, Sabbir Ahmed, detailed the events, highlighting the unexpected targeting of independent media under the current government. Additionally, a video shared by a centrist TV outlet depicted police using force against journalists covering the protest, resulting in numerous injuries. The incidents underscore the challenges faced by journalists and media outlets in ensuring press freedom and safety during a critical period in Bangladesh.
