Dhaka: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has appealed to Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, urging the newly elected government to honor its election commitment by withdrawing cases deemed ‘politically motivated’ against journalists. They also called for the release of journalists Mozammel Haq Babu, Shyamal Dutta, Farzana Rupa, and Shakil Ahmed, who are currently facing legal challenges.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the journalists have been in detention for over 18 months on murder charges without credible evidence being presented or a charge sheet being filed. In its correspondence on Monday, CPJ highlighted that the previous administration’s actions against the journalists appeared to be retaliatory, linked to perceived political affiliations.
In the letter, CPJ criticized the police for failing to submit charge sheets for nearly 600 days, marking a breach of legal procedures. The organization also expressed ‘serious humanitarian concerns,’ noting that Shyamal Dutta suffers from cardiac issues and severe sleep apnea, which have yet to be properly assessed.
Additionally, CPJ reported that Mozammel Haq Babu underwent significant prostate cancer surgery in late 2023 but has not received necessary follow-up care. Farzana Rupa faced harsh conditions, being held for two weeks in November 2024 in a ‘condemnation cell’ typically reserved for death-row inmates.
The letter was also shared with Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon.