Verdicts in Dipan, Avijit murder Cases: Article 19 welcomes judgement

Article 19 yesterday sent a statement welcoming the judgement of the Bangladesh court against those involved in the atrocious 2015 murders of blogger Avijit Roy and Faisal Arefin Dipan, but pointed out that a new type of silencing is underway.

"These judgements came at a time when impunity for crimes against journalists is a too-familiar story in Bangladesh, where the majority of crimes go unpunished," said the British organisation which focuses on freedom of expression.

As a case in point, the statement pointed out that the delivery of the investigation report of the murders of journalists Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi have now been delayed 76 times.

The statement quoted Faruq Faisel, the regional director of Bangladesh and South Asia for Article 19, as saying, "We agree with the remarks of the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal that the aim of these murders was to throttle freedom of expression and create an atmosphere of fear so that none can express their views. We expect that the government would take greater effort and ensure better security that aims to guarantee people's right to freedom of expression and information."

But the organisation pointed out that the police filing of charge sheets against journalists, bloggers, writers, cartoonists under Digital Security Act (DSA) cases are causing grave concern.

"Police filed charge sheet against journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol in a case under the DSA," said the statement.

Police also filed charge sheet against cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore, writer Mushtaq Ahmed and Rashtrachinta Dhaka coordinator Didarul Bhuiyan in a case filed under the DSA in connection with posting comments on social media criticising the government, stated the organisation.

"Kishore and Mushtaque have been behind bars for nine months. Kishore and Mushtaq's bail petitions were rejected six times, according to their lawyers," said the press statement.

It pointed out how there is an active probe underway into these individuals as the Cyber Tribunal sought further investigation.

"Article 19 observed that journalists and media workers have consistently been victims of physical assault. In addition, the criminalisation of expression and legal harassment has increased," it said.

The organisation iterated that the DSA grants a carte blanche to the Bangladesh government to suppress any critical voices.

The statement concluded by saying that while the killers and attackers of journalists, bloggers and writers must be brought to justice, all journalists arrested under the Digital Security Act should also be released.