Rights group condemns Bangladesh journalists' indictment

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 1 August 2026 |  JP Asia Desk

France-based Justice Makers condemned the indictment of Shahriar Kabir, Mozammel Haque and other journalists over the May 5, 2013 rally operation, urging authorities to withdraw charges and uphold due process and press freedom.

Summary

DHAKA — A France-based international human rights organization has condemned the indictment of several journalists before Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), describing the proceedings as politically motivated and warning that they could have far-reaching consequences for press freedom and the rule of law.

Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) said the charges against prominent journalist and writer Shahriar Kabir, veteran journalist Mozammel Haque, and others stem from their alleged roles in events surrounding the May 5, 2013, security operation against a Hefazat-e-Islam rally in Dhaka. The organization called for the charges to be withdrawn and urged the authorities to ensure that any legal proceedings comply with internationally recognized standards of due process.

Rights group raises press freedom concerns

In its statement, JMBF argued that prosecuting journalists over their professional activities or alleged association with historical events risks criminalizing journalism and creating a chilling effect on independent reporting. It said such actions could discourage media professionals from covering politically sensitive issues and undermine public confidence in judicial institutions.

The organization urged Bangladesh's authorities to safeguard freedom of expression and ensure that criminal proceedings are not used to silence journalists or individuals expressing critical views. It also called on the international community to closely monitor developments related to the case and to encourage adherence to Bangladesh's international human rights obligations.

Background to the case

The indictment relates to the violent dispersal of a Hefazat-e-Islam rally in Dhaka in May 2013, an operation that has remained politically contentious for more than a decade. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal, originally established to prosecute crimes committed during the country's 1971 War of Independence, has in recent years handled a wider range of high-profile cases under revised legal and political circumstances.

Shahriar Kabir is widely known for his work as a journalist, author, and human rights activist, while Mozammel Haque has been associated with Bangladesh's media sector for decades. JMBF did not challenge the tribunal's authority but maintained that prosecutions involving journalists should meet strict international standards of fairness, transparency, and judicial independence.

Call for fair trial proceedings

JMBF said accountability for serious crimes is an essential component of justice but stressed that legal proceedings must not be perceived as targeting individuals because of their journalism or political views. The organization urged Bangladesh to uphold its commitments under international human rights law, including protections for freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.

The latest statement adds to a series of recent interventions by JMBF on developments in Bangladesh involving lawyers, journalists, civil society, and human rights issues. The organization has repeatedly called on the authorities to ensure that legal processes are conducted impartially and in accordance with international legal norms.

ATTRIBUTION: Based on a public statement issued by Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). Background information is based on publicly available information about Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal and the organization's statement.

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.