Martin Roux, Head of the Crisis Desk at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has called on Muhammad Yunus to uphold his commitment to justice for the six journalists murdered between July 18 and August 5 last year. The families of the victims are still waiting for closure as the investigation by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) continues to drag on without significant progress.
“Impunity for these crimes undermines the credibility of the transitional government and its leader, Muhammad Yunus,” Roux stated in a press release.
Families of the deceased journalists have voiced frustration over the prolonged delays in the judicial process and the lack of adequate financial support from the state. In addition, at least 250 media professionals were injured during the anti-government protests, many of them caught in police gunfire or caught in violent clashes with protesters.
Roux also emphasized the lack of progress in the investigation. Nearly a year after the murders, the ICT-BD has made little headway, with only two arrests made in the case of Abu Taher Md. Turab, and minimal progress in the death of Mehedi Hasan, where only one suspect was apprehended. The family members of both Hasan and video journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo have reported threats from the accused.
“RSF stands in solidarity with the families and colleagues of these journalists. Their grief will never end unless justice is served. The silence and inaction of the International Crimes Tribunal regarding these murders is unacceptable,” Roux added.
The killings, which took place amid widespread protests and civil unrest, have drawn intense criticism. On July 18, Shakil Hossain, a correspondent for Bhorer Awaj, and Mehedi Hasan, a reporter for Dhaka Times, were shot dead by police during separate protests in Dhaka. The following day, Abu Taher, a correspondent for Naya Diganta and Jalalabad, was also killed by police fire in Sylhet. That same day, Tahir Zaman Priyo, a video journalist for TheReport.live, was fatally shot in Dhaka.
On August 4, protesters in Sirajganj lynched Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, a correspondent for Khoborpatra, while Sohel Akhanji, a reporter for Lokalay Barta, was killed by police in Baniachong, Habiganj, on August 5.
The lack of accountability for these tragic deaths has left the families in mourning, with no end in sight to their fight for justice.
