The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday called on the government to drop charges against four Bangladeshi journalists and release them from jail, expressing concern over their prolonged detention and health conditions.
The New York-based press freedom organisation sent a letter to law, justice and parliamentary affairs minister Md Asaduzzaman urging for the release of journalists Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Haq Babu and Shyamal Dutta, who have been in custody for over 18 months.
The four journalists were accused of murder but, based on its documentation, family testimonies, and international legal review, no credible evidence has been presented and no charge sheet has been filed so far, according to the CPJ letter.
The organisation said that the pattern of the cases appeared to be linked to the journalists’ professional work and perceived political affiliations, raising concerns about politically motivated prosecution.
The letter acknowledged what it described as ‘encouraging signals’ from the current administration regarding press freedom, including public commitment to withdraw politically motivated cases, review restrictive media laws, and strengthen protection for journalists.
The CPJ, however, expressed concern over the detainees’ humanitarian situation.
It said that Farzana Rupa was held in a cell for death-row convict for two weeks in November 2024.
Shyamal Dutta suffered a stroke shortly after his detention on September 16, 2024, but his family was not immediately informed, the letter said, adding that he had a history of cardiac complications and severe sleep apnea that had not been adequately assessed in custody.
Mozammel Haq Babu, also detained since September 2024, had previously undergone major surgery for prostate cancer in late 2023 but had not received necessary follow-up treatment, raising risks of recurrence, said the CPJ letter.
The organisation also referred to constitutional and international protection of free expression, citing Article 39 of the Constitution and Bangladesh’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The CPJ urged the government to consider dropping the charges and allowing the journalists to return to their families.
It also called for immediate access to proper medical care in coordination with the home ministry.
The organisation further said that resolving the cases would signal the government’s commitment to reform and strengthen international confidence in Bangladesh’s democratic transition.
The letter was signed by CPJ Asia-Pacific programme coordinator Kunal Majumder, who also expressed interest in visiting Dhaka for further discussions on press freedom issues later this year.
Mozammel Babu is the former editor-in-chief and chief executive officer of Ekattor TV where Shakil Ahmed served as the head of news. His wife Farzana Rupa was its principal correspondent.
Shyamal Dutta is the former general secretary of the National Press Club and editor of daily ‘Bhorer Kagoj’.
The four journalists are now in jail in connection with a number of cases, including murder cases, field after the fall of Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.
