Rajshahi Press Club holds human chain protesting continued disappearances, killings, threat to journalist Shahinur Rahman Sona
Rajshahi Bureau
A human chain was held in Rajshahi on Tuesday, organised by the Rajshahi Press Club, protesting the death threat issued to journalist Shahinur Rahman Sona following the publication of an investigative report in Rajshahi, the failure to deliver justice in the murder of journalist couple Sagar-Runi even after 14 years, and the continued incidents of enforced disappearances, killings, lawsuits, harassment and threats against journalists.
The human chain was held at Zero Point in Rajshahi city at around 11:30am on Tuesday with Abdus Sabur, Vice-president of the Rajshahi Press Club and Rajshahi bureau chief of the daily Dinkal, presiding over the programme.
Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton and Khairul Alam Rafiq, Chairman of the Journalist Torture Prevention Cell and editor of the daily Protidiner Kagoj, expressed solidarity with the programme and addressed the gathering.
The speakers said that filing cases, issuing threats and harassing journalists over the publication of news poses a serious threat to independent journalism. They demanded that the safety and security of journalists be ensured and that harassment cases filed against them be withdrawn. They also demanded a speedy trial in the widely discussed Sagar-Runi murder case and the release of MyTV Chairman Nasir Uddin Sathi.
They further demanded the immediate arrest of the person who recently threatened journalist Shahinur Rahman Sona with death following the publication of an investigative report in the daily Sokaler Somoy in Rajshahi.
Speaking in solidarity at the human chain, Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton said an environment must be ensured in which journalists can perform their professional duties independently. He called for an end to harassment and attacks on journalists, withdrawal of harassment cases, and speedy completion of the trial in the Sagar-Runi murder case. He also assured that he would stand beside journalists working in Rajshahi in both good and difficult times.
Rajshahi Press Club General Secretary Golam Mostofa Mamun said the killers and conspirators involved in the murder of Sagar-Runi must be arrested immediately and brought to justice through a special tribunal. He also demanded that those responsible for the killing and enforced disappearance of journalists over the past 20 years be brought to justice without delay.
He further said those involved in threats, torture and harassment of journalists across the country must be arrested and brought under the law. He strongly condemned and protested against the filing of a case and the spreading of false allegations against the general secretary of Pabna Press Club.
Referring to recent allegations of cases and threats against journalists following the publication of news, Golam Mostofa Mamun said those involved in such incidents must be brought to justice immediately and all harassment cases filed against journalists must be withdrawn.
“We condemn cases, threats and attacks against journalists. If such a situation continues, we will be forced to take to the streets to demand the rights and security of journalists,” he said.
Among others, speakers at the programme included Rajshahi Rakkha Sangrakshan Committee Member Secretary Mahfuzul Hasnain Hikol, freedom fighter Shahjahan Ali Borjahan, senior ATN Bangla journalist Sujauddin Choton, Rajshahi Reporters Unity President Abdul Mugni Niro, National Journalists Association Rajshahi Divisional General Secretary Faisal Azam Apu, Rajshahi Metropolitan Jubo Dal Member Secretary Rafiqul Islam Rocky, Rajshahi Photojournalists Association President Samad Khan, former president Shariful Islam Tota, Rajshahi Television Journalists Association General Secretary Mostafiz Rocky, Mohanpur Upazila Oikya Press Club President Rajib Khan, and central member of Bangladesh Trinamool Press Society Sagar Nomani.
Rajshahi Press Club Vice-Presidents Sarker Shariful Islam and Shahriar Ontu, editor and publisher of Rajshahir Alo Azibar Rahman, Joint General Secretary Nure Islam Milon, Office Secretary Mozammel Babu, Library Secretary Suruj Ali, executive member and publisher of Prokashkal Rajib Ali Ratul, members Rauf Uddin Rafi, Rubel Sarker and Sani, along with senior journalists Mamun Reza, Obaidul Islam Robi, Abul Kalam Azad, Faruk Hossain, Liaquat Hossain, Shaheen Sagar, Mazharul Islam Chopol and others were present at the programme.
