International News Desk : Voice of Calcutta

The Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) has urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government to immediately release journalists detained on what it described as “spurious and baseless” charges.

In a statement issued on Monday, the organisation welcomed the elections held on February 12 and the new prime minister’s pledge to restore the rule of law. However, it expressed grave concern that dozens of journalists have been imprisoned for more than a year, allegedly in violation of their fundamental rights, with some facing serious charges including murder.

The CJA recalled that in 2025 the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus had announced the withdrawal of 16,429 cases it termed groundless as part of efforts to rebuild public confidence in the justice system. Despite this move, many journalists remain behind bars.

Among those still detained is CJA Vice-President and Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta, who was arrested in September 2024 in connection with what the association called a fabricated murder case.

“Since then, Shyamal, like many others, has been held in extremely harsh conditions and denied proper legal representation and bail,” the statement said.

The organisation also noted that since July 2024, hundreds of journalists and media workers have been subjected to physical attacks, with several killed. Others were reportedly dismissed from their jobs or stripped of press accreditation due to perceived political affiliations.

“These injustices must be redressed,” the CJA said.

Referring to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Samoa in October 2024, the association said member states had adopted the Commonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression and the Role of the Media in Good Governance. These principles call on governments to act decisively to end impunity through impartial, prompt and effective investigations into killings, attacks and ill-treatment of journalists and to bring perpetrators to justice.

The CJA urged the new Bangladesh government to take immediate steps to release detained journalists, end impunity for crimes against media workers, and ensure legal protections that allow journalists to work freely and independently.

It also cited remarks by UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Irene Khan, who said the way Bangladesh’s courts handle cases involving detained journalists would be “a test of the pledges made by the new government.”

The statement was signed by CJA President Chris Cobb and Executive Committee member William Horsley

International News Desk : Voice of Calcutta