The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent organization that promotes press freedom worldwide, has written to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, urging him to mark International Human Rights Day by taking steps that would allow all journalists imprisoned in Bangladesh to return to their families and resume work.
"Bangladesh authorities must uphold domestic and international human rights obligations," said the CPJ in a letter sent to Prof Yunus, noting that real reform requires a decisive break from past practices, not replication of previous abuses.
CPJ Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi wrote the letter to the Chief Adviser, a copy of which was also sent to Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam.
The CPJ made the letter public through its website ahead of the International Human Rights Day that falls on December 10.
The CPJ said it is essential that all political parties
respect journalists’ right to report freely as the country prepares to vote in February next year.
It requested Prof Yunus' urgent attention to the matter of journalists imprisoned in Bangladesh ahead of International Human Rights Day.
According to data compiled by CPJ, Bangladesh currently holds four journalists in prison on murder charges — accusations that lack credible evidence and appear to be in retaliation for their reporting and perceived
political affiliations.
The families of the journalists have described conditions at Kashimpur Prison that raise serious human rights concerns.
They are being held in tiny 36-square-foot (3.34 square meters) cells with metal bars instead of doors, leaving them exposed to cold weather and mosquito infestations.
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They sleep on the concrete floor, without mattresses, and food supplied by the prison is insufficient and often inedible.
Medical care is severely inadequate: the prison has no permanent doctor, routine tests are unobtainable, and prisoners receive no medication unless supplied by their families.
Those with serious health conditions — including cancer, diabetes, cardiac issues, and sleep apnea — have gone months without treatment.
"Prof. Yunus, in a November 2024 interview with The Daily Star, you acknowledged that murder accusations had been hastily filed against journalists in Bangladesh. In the same interview, you stated that your government had stopped such actions and formed a committee to review these cases," the letter reads.
"However, since you took office on August 8 last year, fresh murder charges have been brought against all four journalists imprisoned in Bangladesh — Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Babu, and Shyamal Dutta," CPJ said.
They have been repeatedly denied bail and a lawyer representing some of the journalists, ZI Khan Panna, has also been targeted with a murder accusation.
Freedom of speech and expression are protected under Article 39 of Bangladesh’s constitution and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Bangladesh has acceded.
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The judiciary has also repeatedly recognized the critical role of an independent press in strengthening democratic institutions and accountability.
CPJ's advocacy is supported by more than 1,500 journalists, representing over 100 countries, who joined CPJ in a solidarity action at this year’s Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Malaysia to call on governments around the world to free imprisoned journalists and end impunity for those who attack the press.
"Your personal attention to this matter would underscore Bangladesh’s commitment to humane governance, justice, and open public discourse," the letter reads.