United News of Bangladesh

Global human rights organisations have expressed concern that the targeting of politicians, activists, major media outlets and cultural institutions in Bangladesh, amid heightened political tensions ahead of the 2026 national election, signals a troubling erosion of the rule of law and a shrinking space for free expression, civic discourse and democratic participation. "We stand in solidarity with Bangladesh’s journalists, media workers, artists, and diverse communities," said the organisations in a joint statement shared by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday (December 22, 2025). The organisations reiterated their commitment to defending freedom of expression, accountability, and the rights of communities to participate safely and freely in civic and cultural life—both offline and online. The signatories to the statement are Access Now, Article 19, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS) and Tech Global Institute. Read more: Canadian envoy Ajit Singh highlights importance of press freedom They strongly condemned the violent attacks on December 18, 2025 on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, two of South Asia’s oldest and most reputed media institutions, and the vandalism of Chhayanaut, one of Bangladesh’s most respected cultural and educational institutions. These apparently coordinated acts of violence represent a grave escalation in attacks against independent media, journalists, activists, and cultural spaces in Bangladesh, said the rights bodies. "We are also deeply alarmed at the credible reports of public beating to death and burning of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka Upazila on the same night, following allegations that he made “derogatory remarks” on religion," the statement reads. These incidents followed the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a political activist and leading figure of Bangladesh’s 2024 July Uprising, who was shot in broad daylight in the country’s capital on December 12 and died on December 18, 2025. "We are particularly alarmed by verified reports indicating that journalists and staff were trapped inside the burning premises of the two news outlets, facing imminent risks to their lives," the joint statement says. Read more: Journalists to enjoy greater freedom after election: Khosru Any failure to respond promptly and effectively in such circumstances engages the state’s fundamental duty to protect life, the organisations said. Besides, they said, the forced temporary suspension of both print and online editions of the newspapers marks an unprecedented disruption to Bangladesh’s media landscape and underscores the severity of the threat faced by independent journalism, while the harassment and physical intimidation of journalists present at the scene reflects the growing boldness of those who seek to undermine media freedom in the absence of effective state protection. The attack on Chhayanaut also signals a broader pattern of hostility toward cultural institutions and practitioners, revealing an increasingly unsafe environment for artistic expression and diversity of opinion. "These developments point to a dangerous convergence of online and offline violence, coupled with long-standing patterns of coordinated harassment and state-sanctioned surveillance that have fostered a culture of impunity," said the rights bodies. There has been a documented pattern of attacks on freedom of thought and expression through abuse of the legal system, and intimidation and attacks of bauls, journalists, media workers, and artists throughout this year, the statement said. A number of these attacks appear to have been fueled by hate speech and explicit calls to violence online apparently posted by some prominent personalities with large followings on social media platforms, and further amplified by their followers and affiliated networks, it mentioned. Read more: Intimidation or bloodshed cannot halt Bangladesh’s march to democracy: Prof Yunus The continued circulation of such hate content highlights the technology sector’s failure to meet their human rights responsibilities, and their chronic underinvestment in user safety in the Global Majority, they said. These incidents further illustrate a failure of the state to respond promptly and effectively to online hate and incitement, despite well-documented and recurring patterns of hate speech and violent mobilization. While the interim government has promoted extensive cyber law reforms—proposals that have drawn criticism from civil society groups for lacking substance, practicality, and adequate consultation—the persistent spread of incitement to violence online exposes a profound enforcement failure and raises serious concerns about the efficacy of this government’s commitments to online safety. Bangladesh has binding obligations under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), as well as constitutional guarantees that protect freedom of expression, media freedom, cultural life, political and civic participation, and personal security. These obligations require the state to do everything they reasonably can to prevent, protect against, investigate, hold accountable those responsible, and remedy violations committed by both state and non-state actors. These failures must be understood in the context of the recent developments in Bangladesh. Read more: Attacks on Daily Star, Prothom Alo a direct assault on democracy: Fakhrul The organisations called on the interim government of Bangladesh to: Ensure immediate and effective protection for journalists, media workers, media houses, cultural and intellectual institutions, and their practitioners across the country, including through the deployment of adequate security measures where credible threats exist. Conduct swift, independent, and transparent investigations into the attacks on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, and Chhayanaut, as well as other journalists, media workers, and artists, and ensure that all perpetrators, planners, and instigators are held accountable through due process of law and victims or next-of-kin have access to effective remedies. Engage technology companies and social media platforms to implement proactive, proportionate and timely interventions against hate speech and incitement to violence, and which are responsive to emerging crises, and work with civil society and human rights groups to put in place safeguards that protect user safety and free expression during the election. Publicly and unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, and harassment against journalists, media outlets, and cultural and intellectual institutions, and reaffirm the state’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression and cultural life. Guarantee a safe and enabling environment for journalism, cultural expression, and civic participation—both offline and online—particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 national election. Align national laws, policies, and practices with Bangladesh’s constitutional guarantees and its international human rights obligations, including under the ICCPR, to safeguard freedom of expression, media freedom, and personal security. Read more: Attacks on institutions threaten restoration of democracy: Rizvi

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis Wednesday said they remind Bangladesh of its commitments, as a UN member state, to "free expression, media freedom, and peaceful assembly" among others written in the Declaration as the country is coming closer to its national election next year. "We reaffirm the UN's full support to Bangladesh in upholding its commitments," she said in a media statement celebrating Human Rights Day 2022 which falls on December 10. Gwyn Lewis said: "Ours is a shared humanity rooted in universal values. A threat to the rights of one person is a threat to the whole of society." "Celebrating Human Rights Day is an opportunity to reflect on what they have in common with each other and what that binds them together." Read more: Gwyn Lewis of Ireland appointed UNRC in Bangladesh International Human Rights Day is the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, entitling everyone, regardless of race, colour, sex, religion, political or other views to inalienable rights. "This year we have seen the consequences of crises driven by the Covid-19 pandemic, the devastating Ukraine war and climate change that have disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable across the world, impeding their access to basic services, to be protected and their right to live in peace," said Gwyn Lewis. Read more: Climate-impacted countries like Bangladesh need financial, tech support: UN Resident Coordinator Remembering the Declaration that says that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," the UN in solidarity with all Bangladeshis, recommits itself to upholding the core values of dignity, equality and liberty, including thought and conscience.  

UN human rights experts on Friday called on the Myanmar military to immediately end the violent crackdown on countrywide peaceful protests against its coup and allow free expression.

The United States has joined countries around the world, including Bangladesh, to reaffirm the universal right of free expression and the essential role press freedom plays in protecting democracy and keeping citizens informed and safe.     "The work of journalists, photojournalists, and media outlets often comes with sacrifice, including here in Bangladesh," said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller in a statement on Saturday marking the World Press Freedom Day that falls on May 3.   “This year, we pay special tribute to those journalists who work tirelessly, often under stressful and dangerous conditions, to inform the public about the COVID-19 pandemic.”      Ambassador Miller said they honour the journalists who have fallen ill from COVID-19 and their selfless dedication to public service.    "We honor the life of Humayan Kabir Khokon, a senior journalist who worked until the day of his death and posthumously tested positive for the virus. We send our sincere condolences to Khokon’s family," said the US Ambassador.     Ambassador Miller said they honour all journalists, everywhere, who have sacrificed their lives, freedom and personal wellbeing in pursuit of truth and justice. 

The Myanmar government should protect free expression, free all political prisoners, and provide remedies to anyone who was arbitrarily detained, said Athan and Fortify Rights in a new report on Thursday.    On April 17, Myanmar released nearly 25,000 prisoners as part of a presidential pardon; however, at least 182 political prisoners remain behind bars, and the government has failed to provide former political prisoners with effective remedies as required by international law.