Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed, a married journalist couple, have spent more than 150 days in prison in Bangladesh. Arrested in August at Dhaka airport while attempting to travel to Paris, they face accusations that human rights advocates have dismissed as politically motivated.
The arrests took place during a turbulent period in Bangladesh’s political history, marked by massive protests that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The international legal team representing Rupa and Ahmed filed a complaint this week with the United Nations, alleging their detention is arbitrary and emblematic of a broader crackdown on press freedom in the South Asian nation.
Targeted for Their Reporting
Rupa and Ahmed were prominent figures at Ekattor TV, a news channel known for its pro-liberation war stance. Their coverage and criticism of the anti-government protests made them targets, analysts say. Authorities claim the journalists incited violence during demonstrations, linking them to the death of a garment worker in Dhaka last August.
“These accusations are baseless and part of a broader strategy to silence dissent,” said Caoilfhionn Gallagher, a human rights lawyer based in London who leads their defense. “This case represents the abusive use of lawfare to punish critical journalism.”
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Rupa and Ahmed are among four journalists associated with the former regime who remain jailed. Their detention, CPJ argues, is part of a pattern of harassment targeting pro-Hasina reporters following the government’s fall.
Political Turmoil and Its Fallout
Bangladesh has been in turmoil since mid-2024 when student-led protests against corruption and rising inequality swept the country. The unrest claimed 870 lives, according to interim government figures, and forced Sheikh Hasina to resign after over a decade in power.
The protests also put journalists in the crosshairs. Several reporters were attacked while covering demonstrations, and two lost their lives. Many others, especially those perceived as sympathetic to Hasina’s administration, now face politically motivated charges, arrests, or exile.
The situation has deteriorated further under the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammad Yunus. Gallagher described the environment as a “press freedom crisis,” citing widespread intimidation and retaliation against the media.
A Systematic Assault on the Press
In the 100 days since taking office, the interim government has overseen what observers call an unprecedented assault on Bangladesh’s media. Over 300 journalists face criminal charges, including fabricated accusations of murder. Press cards have been revoked, bank accounts frozen, and travel bans imposed.
Women journalists have been particularly vulnerable. Reports of mob violence and harassment against female reporters have surfaced, with mobs targeting liberal media outlets such as Prothom Alo and the Daily Star. In one incident, protesters slaughtered a cow outside Prothom Alo’s offices, accusing it of being “pro-India.”
“Journalists have always faced risks in Bangladesh, but the scale and coordination of this repression are unparalleled,” said Charlotte Jacquemart, a senior editor with Swiss Public Radio, in a recent report for The Voice. “The interim government is failing to control extremist elements within its ranks who are dismantling decades of progress toward secularism.”
A Cry for Global Attention
Despite the severe crackdown, international responses have been muted. Organizations like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the CPJ have called for the immediate release of jailed journalists, but global pressure on the Yunus administration remains limited.
Rupa and Ahmed’s legal team hopes the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention will rule their imprisonment as unlawful and demand their release. Gallagher emphasized that their detention violates fundamental human rights and lacks due process.
“This isn’t just about two journalists—it’s a fight for press freedom and democracy in Bangladesh,” Gallagher said.
Bangladesh’s Fragile Democracy at Risk
Bangladesh, once celebrated for its resilience and democratic progress, now finds itself at a dangerous crossroads. The 2024 Press Freedom Index ranks the country 165th out of 180 nations, and experts predict an even steeper decline next year.
“The repression of journalists under Yunus underscores how ideals can be co-opted to crush dissent,” Jacquemart observed. “Bangladesh’s democracy is slipping into authoritarianism, and the world must not look away.”
As calls grow for international action, the plight of Rupa and Ahmed serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democratic principles and the urgent need to protect press freedom.
