RSF calls on BD govt to end repression against journalists

THE Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called upon interim authorities in Bangladesh to repeal repressive laws put in place by the deposed government and drop unfounded legal cases against journalists.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, RSF said two months after the resignation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the interim government’s chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, is working to reform Bangladesh’s institutions before a permanent government is voted in.
“For Yunus to dismantle 15 years of authoritarian policies established by the Awami League party, he must put press freedom, the cornerstone of democracy, at the heart of these reforms”.
“Structural reforms are necessary to turn the repressive page of the previous government. We call on Muhammad Yunus’ government to act: end impunity for crimes against media professionals, drop the spurious charges brought by the former regime against journalists caught in a terrible legal spiral, and repeal the cybersecurity law used to silence them. At the same time, it is equally urgent to end the ongoing legal attacks against over 130 journalists who have been the victims of unfounded accusations”.
Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2024