Bangladesh editors condemn journalist arrest as repression
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 hours ago | JP Asia Desk
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Bangladesh’s Editors’ Council and press groups condemned the arrest of Anis Alamgir under the Anti-Terrorism Act, warning that this signals a return to repression and calling for legal due process and case withdrawal.Summary
DHAKA — Bangladesh’s Editors’ Council and allied press bodies have publicly condemned the arrest of journalist Anis Alamgir under the Anti-Terrorism Act, warning that the action evokes past state repression against journalists and undermines press freedom. The council described the detention as unacceptable, noting that Alamgir was summoned to the Detective Branch office without specific charges before being formally arrested.
Context of concern
In a statement signed by Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud, the organization said similar practices of false cases, harassment, and arbitrary arrests occurred under earlier administrations, and that the latest incident appears to repeat that troubling pattern. The council emphasised that any allegations against journalists should be pursued through conventional legal channels with full due process, not through detentions without clear accusations.
Implications for press freedom
Rights advocates have also raised alarm over the use of strict laws against media professionals, with organizations such as Ain o Salish Kendra arguing that using anti-terror legislation against journalists contradicts democratic principles and creates fear among media workers. This coordinated response from journalistic bodies highlights growing industry concern about legal pressures and the potential chilling effect on independent reporting.
Journalist Anis Alamgir was placed on a five-day remand after being produced before a Dhaka court in the case filed at Uttara West Police Station. Three others, including actress Meher Afroz Shaon, were named alongside him in the police documents.
The condemnation from the Editors’ Council and other press freedom advocates underscores broader anxieties in Bangladesh’s media environment, where journalists have previously faced legal challenges and detentions. The council has reiterated calls for the withdrawal of baseless cases and urged authorities to uphold the rule of law, while newsroom leaders consider strengthening legal and safety protocols to support reporters at risk.
KEY POINTS:
- The Editors’ Council strongly condemned the arrest of journalist Anis Alamgir under the Anti-Terrorism Act
- Press bodies warn that the detention evokes past state repression and undermines press freedom
- Rights groups argue that the use of anti-terror laws against journalists creates fear and threatens independent reporting
- Alamgir was summoned without specific charges and placed on a five-day remand by a Dhaka court
- Three other individuals were named in the case alongside Alamgir
- Journalism organizations call for the withdrawal of baseless cases and legal due process
ATTRIBUTION: Reporting is based on verified statements from the Editors’ Council and related press freedom organizations.
PHOTO: Anis Alamgir (X)
