Urgently act to ensure security of bloggers: IFJ to govt

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly deplored Friday’s murder of blogger Neeladri Chattopadhyay, alias Niloy. The IFJ demanded immediate action by the Bangladesh government to end the continued and systematic attacks on freedom of expression in Bangladesh, according to its official website. The IFJ says: "The chilling murders of bloggers by the religious extremist group is highly condemnable and cowardly act. A series of murder is a matter of shame for any democratic country. The IFJ urges the Bangladeshi government to urgently act to ensure the security of bloggers to protect the citizen's rights to freedom of expression."
Chattopadhyay, a secular blogger who used the pen name, Niloy Neel was brutally killed when four men armed with cleavers entered his home in the city’s Khilgoan. The men posed as potential tenants and stabbed the 28-year-old while holding his wife and sister-in-law at gunpoint. Niloy died on the spot. Niloy was working for an NGO at the time of his death and in the months prior had received death threats. He went to the police to register the case, however, they declined. Niloy wrote on women's rights, indigenous and minority peoples, human rights, social justice and was critical of religious extremism.
Following the murder, Ansar-Al-Islam, the Bangladeshi chapter of al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the killing, according to a news agency.
- mbz