Anamitra Chattopadhyay | India |
The record of journalist persecution that has emerged from the period of Muhammad Yunus\'s rule is nothing short of shocking.
Unprecedented Persecution of Journalists Under Yunus; Calls Grow for Nobel Prize to Be Revoked
The record of journalist persecution that has emerged from the period of Muhammad Yunus\'s rule is nothing short of shocking.
As head of Grameen Bank, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Many critics have long argued that Muhammad Yunus is the architect of a business model that profits by trapping the poorest people in poor countries in cycles of high-interest debt. Ever since that model received international recognition through the Nobel Prize, aided, according to critics, by the direct intervention of influential friends in the United States, controversy has surrounded both the award and the model itself.
After 18 months of governing Bangladesh, Yunus\'s actions have also come under intense scrutiny. His government suspended the country\'s vaccination programme. As a result, with herd immunity shattered, the number of child deaths from measles is reportedly approaching 600, while infections have surpassed one hundred thousand. Now, the record of journalist persecution under Yunus that has come to light is equally alarming. Many are demanding that the Nobel authorities revoke Yunus\'s Nobel Prize over what they describe as grave human rights violations.
After the departure of the Yunus government, journalists who had found themselves cornered, regardless of political affiliation, formed an organisation called the Anti-Persecution Journalists Front. Bringing together information from across the country, the organisation has compiled and published a detailed account of the alleged persecution.
According to the report, the Yunus government implicated more than 500 journalists in what it describes as fabricated criminal cases carrying severe charges, including murder. A statement issued by the organisation says: \"More than fifty journalists were arrested. Thirteen journalists were killed. In addition, around 1,200 journalists lost their jobs. Government accreditation cards of 168 professional journalists were revoked. Memberships of more than 700 journalists were cancelled or suspended by various press clubs, including the National Press Club.\"
Officials of the organisation state that during Yunus\'s tenure, 47 journalists across the country were arrested, including Shahriar Kabir, Mozammel Babu, Shyamal Dutta, Shakil Ahmed, Farzana Rupa, Sheikh Jamal, Manjurul Alam Panna and Anis Alamgir. Only a small number of them have since been released on bail. The organisation further alleges that 13 journalists, including Mehedi Hasan, Shakil Hossain, Tahir Zaman, ATM Turab, Pradip Kumar Bhowmik and Sohel Akhanji, were killed.
The Anti-Persecution Journalists Front also states that supporters of Yunus were responsible for acts of vandalism, attacks and arson targeting the offices of BTV, 71 TV, Somoy TV, DBC News, Gaan Bangla, ATN News, ATN Bangla, My TV, Bijoy TV, News24, and the newspapers Amader Orthoniti, Amader Notun Shomoy, Dainik Mukhopatro, Kaler Kantho, Bangladesh Pratidin, Daily Sun, Bangla News, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.
According to the statement, editors, news chiefs and journalists from various media organisations were subjected to pressure, resulting in the dismissal of approximately 1,200 journalists during Yunus\'s administration.
Recently, journalists took to the streets of Dhaka, forming a human chain and demanding the withdrawal of all false cases filed against them. They called for the release of imprisoned journalists, justice for murdered journalists, reinstatement of those who lost their jobs, and the reopening of the offices of the two journalist organisations, DUJ and BFUJ.
They also demanded justice for looting and arson attacks on newspaper offices, restoration of memberships cancelled by press clubs across the country, including the National Press Club, reversal of accreditation card cancellations, withdrawal of orders freezing journalists\' bank accounts, and removal of restrictions imposed on their foreign travel.
Many campaigners are now characterising the organised persecution of journalists as a serious violation of human rights and are calling on the Nobel authorities to revoke Yunus\'s Nobel Prize. They argue that allowing such a ruler to continue being identified as a Nobel laureate damages the reputation and moral standing of the award itself.
The BNP government led by Tarique Rahman recently completed its first 100 days in office after winning the election. Although no new cases or attacks against journalists have been reported under the current administration, the cases filed during Yunus\'s tenure have not yet been withdrawn.
Police have reportedly failed to submit charge sheets against imprisoned journalists even after 18 to 20 months. Despite this, they have not been granted bail. In many instances, journalists who secured bail in existing cases have allegedly been implicated in new cases and kept behind bars.
During a meeting with editors, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assured media representatives that his government does not believe in suppressing or controlling the press. He also promised to review the cases filed against journalists. However, according to critics, none of these commitments have been implemented during the government\'s first 100 days.
Akhtar Hossain, Convenor of the Anti-Persecution Journalists Front, said: \"The responsibility for releasing journalists imprisoned during the Yunus era and ending the persecution of journalists now lies with the current government. If it fails to fulfil that responsibility, it will be assumed that it has taken a position against journalists. Public expectations from a political government are high. Please free the journalists."
Anamitra Chattopadhyay is a senior journalist and columnist, formerly of Anandabazar Patrika and currently associated with Ei Samay. He specialises in Bangladesh affairs, South Asian politics and regional geopolitics.
Editorial note for PolicyGov:
"The views expressed in this article are those of the author. The allegations cited are based on claims made by the Anti-Persecution Journalists Front and have not been independently verified by PolicyGov."