A coalition of prominent South Asian media and peace advocacy groups has issued a strong condemnation following a series of violent attacks on newspaper offices in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The incidents, which involved vandalism and arson, targeted the offices of two of the country's leading publications, 'Prothom Alo' and 'The Daily Star'.
Widespread Condemnation from Regional Networks
Organisations including the Southasia Peace Action Network (Sapan), the South Asia Media Defenders Network (SAMDEN), Sapan News, and the Rural Media Network Pakistan have collectively denounced the assaults. In a joint statement, they also decried the physical assault on Nurul Kabir, who serves as the president of the editors council and is the editor of 'New Age'.
The network expressed its appreciation for statements from the Press Club of India and the Karachi Press Club, which also condemned the violence. This cross-border solidarity highlights the regional concern over the safety of journalists and press freedom.
Demand for Release of Detained Journalists
A particularly alarming detail raised in the joint release is the situation of journalists currently held in Bangladesh. The groups stated it is 'disturbing to hear that more than 100 journalists in Bangladesh have been detained without trial'. They have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all these media professionals.
The statement drew a parallel to a similar incident from three months ago, where media houses in Nepal faced comparable attacks. This pattern raises concerns about the shrinking space for free media in parts of South Asia.
Calls for Justice and Government Action
The collective appeal from these networks is clear and direct. They have called upon the concerned governments, particularly in Bangladesh, to ensure a thorough investigation. Their primary demand is that the perpetrators behind the attacks are identified and brought to justice.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the press in the region. The targeting of major publications like Prothom Alo and The Daily Star sends a chilling message to the entire media community. The international and regional response now puts a spotlight on the authorities to uphold their commitment to protecting freedom of expression and ensuring the safety of journalists.
