TIB condemns killing of Hadi, attacks on media houses

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) condemned the targeted killing of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Hadi and unprecedented destructive attacks on media freedom and dissent on Friday.
TIB requested that the government take responsibility and act effectively.
It expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the planned attack and brutal killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, an iconic figure of the July uprising.
At the same time, TIB remarked that the organised and unprecedented destructive attacks on free media, dissenting voices, and freedom of expression in protest of this killing constitute a direct assault on the country's democratic foundations, citizen security, the spirit of freedom, and the values of the July uprising.
"It is observing with grave concern the government's failure to arrest all those involved in Osman Hadi's murder and bring them to justice," TIB's Executive Director, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, said in a press statement issued on Friday.
"The government's failure to arrest all those involved in the targeted shooting, and allegations of facilitating their escape to a neighbouring country, reflect shortsightedness and incompetence in addressing the instability and insecurity arising from public outrage," it said.
"The interim government cannot evade responsibility for this failure. On the other hand, the aggressive and vengeful behaviour of a section of the forces claiming victory after the fall of authoritarian rule is giving rise to new forms of repression within the state and society," the statement maintained.
"The direct victims of this have been the free media, dissent, and freedom of expression. The government has failed to take any effective stance to confront and prevent this situation; rather, by previously adopting submissive positions in similar crises, the state itself has expanded the space for intolerance, violence, and instability," it continued.
"As part of this continuum, vandalism and arson attacks on leading media houses such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, the attack on New Age editor Nurul Kabir, the attack on cultural organization Chhayanaut, and the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das-followed by the burning of his body on allegations of hurting so-called religious sentiments-have taken place," Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said in the statement.
"There is no scope to view these as isolated incidents; rather, these are glaring examples of the systematic suppression of free thought, dissent, and independent expression. In a Bangladesh aspiring toward democracy, such destructive attacks are not only unacceptable but will stand as an embarrassing testament to the state's failure to fulfil its most fundamental responsibilities," he said.
"We are observing with deep concern that the way humanitarian values and fundamental human rights were trampled during authoritarian rule is now returning in a new form. Many who were victims of rights violations over the past 16 years and now claim to be victors of the July movement are themselves today violating the rights of the free media and dissent," he said.
"Observing the sequence of events, it is by no means unreasonable to conclude that Bangladesh's independence, and the spirit and values of the July uprising, are under severe threat," he mentioned.
"The dream envisioned in 1971 and reaffirmed in July-of a discrimination-free society, equality, human dignity, social justice, religious freedom, harmony and coexistence, recognition of gender and sexual diversity, and a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural society-is now facing widespread danger," he added.
The TIB Executive Director further said, "Taking advantage of the emotionally charged situation surrounding the brutal murder of Osman Hadi, vested interests opposed to free media and freedom of thought and conscience-fuelled by fallen forces-are inciting violence and deliberately pushing the situation toward a more destructive outcome."
"We demand swift and exemplary punishment of Osman Hadi's killers, accountability of the authorities responsible for failing to address the emerging situation, and the immediate adoption of effective, coordinated, and visible measures to ensure the security of the free media and citizens' rights. Otherwise, Bangladesh's democratic future, expectations of state reform, social stability, the values of 1971, and the core ideals of the July uprising will fall into a deeper crisis-for which the government will in no way be able to evade responsibility," he said.

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