We, the members of South Asian Women in the Media (SAWM), condemn the brutal attacks on school and college students in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during their peaceful protests for improved road safety measures.
We also vehemently condemn the attacks on journalists who were beaten and their cameras smashed. In one case a woman journalist was groped and harassed for taking video footage of a procession.
The recent illegal and inexplicable detention of Dr Shahidul Alam, managing director of Drik Gallery in Dhaka and Chairman of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, apparently over a Facebook post, indicates a growing trend by government machinery to silence the media and any dissenting voices.
We appeal to the government of Bangladesh and to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to instruct law enforcers as well as various groups representing the ruling party to stop physically attacking, intimidating and detaining civilians.
These attacks and detentions are violations of people’s constitutional rights and of freedom of the press and freedom of speech and expression. They are contradictory to democratic values.
We call upon the authorities in Bangladesh to immediately release Dr Shahidul Alam and take strict action against those security forces who, instead of enforcing citizens’ legitimate rights, have wilfully broken the law.
SAWM members.