Journalist survives attempted murder; two others receive death threats; five others injured in attacks; murdered journalist's case stalled despite court change

**New cases and update to IFEX alerts on the Das case of 4 January 2006, 21 and 17 November 2005; for further information on former cabinet minister Abbas's lawsuit against six publications, see alert of 15 November 2006**

SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

IFJ demands greater respect for press freedom in Bangladesh

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is appalled by the lack of tolerance for media criticism and the eroding respect for press freedom in Bangladesh after two weeks of physical attacks, death threats and legal action against journalists for doing nothing more than their jobs.

According to local reports, a total of 18 editors and journalists currently face the possibility of prison terms as a result of criminal libel suits, and journalists and the newspapers they work for have been threatened by politicians to stop reporting on government corruption.

"We are concerned that the threat of violence, legal action, and pressure from those in authority is preventing journalists from doing their job, and encourages a terrible culture of self-censorship in the media," IFJ President Christopher Warren said.

Journalist receives death threats for reporting on corruption

According to local reports, Subrata Deb Roy Sanjay, a journalist for Dainik Khabor and Dainik Sylheter Dak, was forced to flea his home on November 20 after receiving death threats from Hazi Mujib, a member of the ruling party, for reporting on Mujib's alleged illegal business affairs.

In recent years, Mujib has allegedly filed two defamation cases against Sanjay and Sanjay has previously had his house ransacked and suffered beatings, extortion attempts and death threats from people allegedly working for Mujib.

According to local reports, Sanjay filed a case with the police regarding the death threats but no action has been taken, and he now fears for his life.

Journalists beaten during news gathering

Four journalists, Niamul Kabir Sajal of Dainik Prothom Alo, Babul Hossain of Dainik Janakantha, Mir Golam Mostafa of Dainik Shamokal and photographer Nuruzzaman, were reportedly severely injured on November 16 by attackers believed to have been mobilized by Shahjahan Sirai Babu, chairman of the Rangamatia Union Council.

According to local reports, the journalists were covering a story on threats to an Ahmandiyah religious group in Hatilet, a village under the jurisdiction of the Rangamatia Union Council, when they were brutally beaten and hospitalised.

A case has reportedly been filed with the police identifying 28 people, including Chairman Shahjahan Siraj Saju.

Attempted murder of journalist

A group of criminals armed with sharp knives reportedly attempted to kill Dainik Amar Desh, and BDNews24 correspondent Ansar Hossain, at his house in Cox's Bazaar on November 13, allegedly related to Hossain's reports on their criminal activities.

According to local reports, Hossain survived the attack and later called for a police investigation.

Attack on newspaper offices in Lakshmipur

According to local reports, a media worker, Sirajul Islam, was injured and the newsroom offices of Dainik Bhorer Malancha and Weekly Elan were vandalised by cadres of local entrepreneurs in Lakshmipur district on November 13, after the local newspapers reported on the conflict between the entrepreneurs and a labour group.

Death threat to Amar Desh correspondent

A Nezame Islam Party leader, Mufti Izharul Islam, reportedly threatened the life of Dainik Amar Desh journalist Ma Noman after Noman published an article entitled "Mufti Izhar can't find any shelter" on November 12.

Influential former minister sues six publications

According to local reports, former cabinet minister Mirza Abbas reportedly brought libel suits against editors and publishers of four daily newspapers, Jugantor, Inqilab, Janakantha and Bhorer Kagoj, and two magazines, Weekly 2000 and Weekly Shirsha Kagoj, to a Dhaka court on November 9, for running news items on his misuse of ministerial and political power, including land-grabbing and recruiting staff in exchange for bribes.

Journalist's murder still unsolved one year later

Twelve months after the murder of Dainik Shamokal journalist Gautam Das, the case is still unsolved. Das was reportedly killed at his office in Faridpur on November 17, 2005, after reporting on extortion, corruption and illegal arms dealings.

According to local reports, the murder case was transferred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal but has since been halted and no progress has been made to find and detain the killers.

Journalists held meetings all over Bangladesh to commemorate the anniversary of Das' murder and to call for a fresh investigation into his death.

Journalists denied the right to report

The IFJ, representing more than 500,000 journalists in 115 countries, condemns these numerous incidents where Bangladeshi journalists have been denied the right to report intimidation, abuse and attacks from politicians and criminals.

"A truly democratic Bangladesh cannot be achieved without greater respect for press freedom and the public's right to information," IFJ President Christopher Warren said.

"When journalists are beaten, harassed or threatened for their work, the very heart of democracy is compromised," Warren said.

"Furthermore, criminal defamation, a wholly inappropriate penalty that brands a journalist a criminal, must not and cannot be retained by a truly democratic state," he said.

"The IFJ calls on the police and the government of Bangladesh for immediate action to ensure the safety of journalists, for the removal of defamation from the criminal code, and for greater respect for media independence," he said.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries.

For further information, contact the IFJ Asia-Pacific, tel: +61 2 9333 0919, e-mail: ifj@ifj-asia.org, or the IFJ, International Press Centre, Residence Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium, tel: +322 235 2200 or +322 235 2207, fax: +322 235 2219, e-mail: rachel.cohen@ifj.org, Internet: http://www.ifj.org/

The information contained in this update is the sole responsibility of IFJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit IFJ.
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