Amnesty International yesterday urged the Bangladesh authorities to look into the “ongoing violent attacks on journalists and activists” ahead of the 11th parliamentary polls.

In a statement, the international human rights watchdog asked the authorities to immediately release those activists “arrested arbitrarily”.

Condemning the recent attacks on journalists and activists, Amnesty International South Asia campaigner Saad Hammadi in the statement said, “The authorities must impartially investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice. Such incidents are detrimental to a peaceful atmosphere for people to exercise their civil and political rights.”

The statement referred to the incident of December 24 when, it said, at least 12 journalists on duty to cover the elections at a Dhaka constituency came under attack and 16 vehicles carrying them were damaged by a group of 30-35 attackers in Nawabganj. The guest house where the journalists were staying also came under attack.

“The attacks are deeply concerning. Bangladesh's authorities must protect the right to freedom of expression and association. The authorities must also protect the rights of people as contained in Bangladesh's constitution as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international standards which Bangladesh has agreed to follow,” said the statement.