Form separate tribunal for journalist murders
Political commitment is needed to ensure the trial of journalist killings, said speakers at a programme yesterday.
They also demanded a separate tribunal for speeding up trial and ensure justice for journalists who were killed while on duty.
Marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the programme, titled “Time to end impunity for crimes against journalists” was organised by the Institute of Communication and Studies (ICS) at a hotel in the capital.
Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, former president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), said there are complexities in trial process in cases of journalist murder, and it is difficult to say why the process gets delayed.
He said on August 5 this year, some 22 journalists were attacked at Science Lab intersection in Dhaka. Journalists took a stand against the incident, while the information minister called attention of the home ministry on the matter. The home minister gave assurances of filing case against the attackers, but nothing happened at the end, said Bulbul.
He criticised Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, saying, “Inu did nothing for the press community.”
Senior journalist Mozammel Hossain Manju said journalists have many enemies, and therefore justice should be ensured when they are attacked.
Civil society, government, journalist unions, and members of press clubs should be united and work together to stop killing of journalists, he said.
Journalist Gouranga Nandy said 15 journalists were killed in the country's south-western region in 12 years from 1994-2005. Only a few cases went to trial but in most cases victims did not get justice. It shows the weakness in governance.
Speaking at the programme, slain journalist Humayun Kabir Balu's son Asik Kabir and daughter Husna Meheruba sought justice for their father, who died 14 years ago in a bomb attack.
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