Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) have expressed concern, anger, and condemnation over the recent attacks, vandalism, and arson at the offices of leading Bangladeshi dailies, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.
In a joint statement on Friday, they called the assaults “not only an attack on the media but on society, democratic values, and Bangladesh itself.” The late-night attacks caused significant damage to the institutions’ infrastructure and put journalists’ lives at risk. The organizations said the incidents reflect both a severe deterioration in law and order and the government’s failure to uphold its responsibilities.
The statement was signed by Nurul Kabir, president, Editors’ Council and AK Azad, president, NOAB
“This is not an isolated incident,” the statement said, noting a continuing failure by the interim government to prevent organized mob violence. “The attacks demonstrate that law enforcement agencies have completely failed to play an effective role in preventing crime,” it added.
The statement also condemned the recent attack on Chhayanaut, Dhaka’s cultural institution.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus called Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman and The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, assuring them of his support and security measures. However, the statement placed responsibility for the attack and the failure to control law and order squarely on the interim government.
The Editors’ Council and NOAB demanded the immediate identification and arrest of the attackers and “exemplary punishment” for those involved in the harassment of Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir.
The organizations also urged professional bodies, business communities, civil society groups, political parties, and journalist organizations to stand in solidarity with this demand.
