GENEVA: Expressing serious concern over the volatile situation in Bangladesh following the murder of a young political leader, the global media safety and rights body, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), has urged the caretaker government in Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of the media fraternity across the South Asian country.
Condemning the incidents in which digital media editor Imdadul Haque Milon (45) was killed and an unruly mob attacked the offices of two leading newspapers—Prothom Alo and The Daily Star—in the capital on Thursday night, PEC also strongly criticised the physical assault on New Age editor Nurul Kabir, who, along with other media professionals, attempted to prevent the vandalism.
Also read Bangladesh Unrest: Press Club of India Condemns Attack on Media
Milon, who worked for the online news portal Bartaman Somoy, was targeted by four armed men riding motorcycles at Shalua market on the evening of 18 December. Seriously injured, he was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where the Shalua Press Club office-bearer was declared brought dead by attending doctors. He is the 163rd journalist killed globally and the fifth media casualty in Bangladesh this year, following the deaths of Assaduzzaman Tuhin, Bibhuranjan Sarkar, Wahed-uz-Zaman Bulu, and Khandahar Shah Alam.
“We condemn the shooting of journalist Imdadul Haque Milon. Moreover, the midnight vandalism and arson attacks on Dhaka-based prominent Bengali daily Prothom Alo and the acclaimed English newspaper The Daily Star, when many employees, including journalists, were still at work, are horrifying and deserve the strongest condemnation. Both dailies were even unable to publish their Friday editions,” said Blaise Lempen, President of PEC (pressemblem.ch). He added that the incidents constitute a direct assault on press freedom, which must be safeguarded by the government as the Muslim-majority nation prepares for the general election scheduled for 12 February 2026.
Also Read | Sangeeta Barooah Becomes PCI’s First Woman President
PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that unprecedented violence erupted in the country soon after interim government chief Professor Muhammad Yunus confirmed the death of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore, where he had been airlifted for advanced treatment following a gunshot injury sustained in Dhaka. Hadi rose to public prominence during the student-led mass uprising last year that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, forcing the Awami League leader to flee to neighbouring India.
Meanwhile, Professor Yunus reportedly spoke with the editors of the affected newspapers and assured them of government support and security assistance.