Bangladesh-A renound journalist Alamgir’s arrest, interference with freedom of expression: Civil society concerns
Civil society members have expressed deep concern and anger over the arrest of journalist Anis Alamgir. They say that a terrible example has been set by the state by labeling a journalist a ‘terrorist’ for expressing his views and performing his professional duties.
According to them, the freedom of speech, the ideals of journalism and the democratic space recognized in the constitution are gradually being narrowed. They also commented that the role of the administration is being questioned due to the pressure created by social media and the hint of mob politics. They warned that if this trend continues, it will bring bad consequences for both journalism and the state.
He said, “We are journalists. What do we have? How much power and authority do we have? All we have is the truth. If the government trembles in fear of this truth, then there is nothing left to say.”
Human rights activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin told Bangla Tribune that the case filed against Anis Alamgir was filed by a particular organization, in the context of two of them being attacked and injured. Since there is an oppressive law, a case can be filed. But we have to see what is said in the charges in the case. If there is enough content and cause of the crime in the case, then the case may be legally valid. But before that, the big question is, he was arrested under Section 54 until the moment the case was filed against him.
He said, according to the new law, under Section 54, the reason for the arrest must be written down and the accused must be informed. If he can show it, he can legally arrest him. However, I have not heard that the police showed any documents at the time he was picked up after leaving the gym, nor has it been reported in the newspapers. From that point of view, there has definitely been a clear violation. It is important to remember that under Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code, it was necessary to keep an eye on the arrest. Was journalist Anis fleeing, or was there such a possibility? Otherwise, he could have been arrested according to the law even after the case was filed.
He further said that the Anti-Terrorism Act is a law that can take away human rights. The current law, as it is, cannot uphold the fundamental rights of individuals, starting from freedom of expression, while simultaneously preserving their freedom.
He said, “We are seeing a lot of cases being filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Each of them has various questions about the judicial process. There are also enough questions about whether they go through the torture that their remand means before going to the judicial process, and those questions are being asked by citizens.”
But without looking at the copy of the case filed against Anis Alamgir or the three others, it is impossible to understand whether this case has any validity at all. Even if it has validity, the sections that are generally used actually engage in politics of human rights abuse.
Rezaur Rahman Lenin said, “No matter who an accused or criminal is, no human rights abuses can be committed against them.”
Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, executive director of the non-governmental organization ‘Voice’, said, “First of all, we believe that a journalist cannot be arrested for speaking his mind. Anis Alamgir is not a new face who is speaking new things today. He is a long-time senior journalist. If he is arrested for speaking his mind, it is an obstacle to freedom of expression.”
Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton told Bangla Tribune, “Today, a case has been filed against four people under the Anti-Terrorism Act and some of them have been arrested before the case was filed. This is like that dictatorial era. It seems like the way people tried to silence people’s voices or oppress journalists at that time. The bigger issue is whether people will criticize such incidents, whether that criticism is reasonable or unreasonable, but the atmosphere of fear will be created for them. Through this, people will not want to speak out anymore. Which we saw during the dictatorial Awami League government. It is sad but true that today we can see the footsteps of that situation.”
Meanwhile, the Editors’ Council has strongly condemned the incident of summoning journalist Anis Alamgir to the DB office and filing a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act without any specific charges. Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud issued this condemnation in a statement on Monday.
Incidentally, the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) took journalist Anis Alamgir into custody from Dhanmondi in the capital on Sunday (December 14). He was then taken to the DB office for questioning.
That night, July Revolutionary Alliance central organizer Aryan Ahmed filed a case against Anis Alamgir, actress Meher Afroz Shaon and four others at Uttara Paschim Police Station. The other accused in the case are Maria Kispatta (fashion model) and Imtu Ratish Imtiaz (presenter).
The case alleges that although former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled during the anti-discrimination student movement in July 2024, her followers have been conspiring to commit anti-state crimes by staying in the country through various means, destabilizing the country and destroying the country’s infrastructure.
The complaint further states that since August 5, 2024, the accused have been spreading various rumors (propaganda) on social media and various television talk shows to bring back the banned organization. Through this, they are trying to rehabilitate the Awami League. As a result of their various posts, the activists of the banned organizations Chhatra League and Jubo League are inspired to commit anti-state crimes and terrorist activities with the aim of destabilizing the state and destroying its infrastructure.
News contributed by Bangla Tribune
