Death of a second blogger within a span of barely one month triggered strong reaction from the international community with the UN expressing “tremendous concern” and European countries condemning the attack.
UN deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, during his regular briefing at the UN headquarters on Monday (Tuesday in Bangladesh) said: “…it is a matter of tremendous concern that different journalists and other intellectuals are being attacked.”
He said the UN has been calling for basic rights in Bangladesh, including the right to freedom of expression when asked if the UN had any response to another blogger being hacked to death.
The European Union issued a statement condemning the murder of Oyasiqur Rahman, a liberal thinker.
“The Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh condemns the brutal assault and killing of blogger Oyasiqur Rahman...” EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon said in a message on Monday as reported by UNB.
France and Germany have also condemned Monday’s murder of the progressive writer.
Paris conveyed its condolences to Oyasiqur’s family and relatives, said a press release of the French embassy.
France called upon the authorities to investigate these revolting acts and reiterated its commitment to freedom of opinion and expression, including online expression.
The German Embassy said it was an attack on the freedom of expression as this was already the second case of an assault against liberal bloggers within a month of the gruesome killing of Avijit Roy.
Blogger Oyasiqur Rahman was hacked to death in the Tejgaon Industrial Area when he was on his way to work.
Blogger and science writer Avijit Roy, a Bangladesh born US citizen, was hacked to death on Dhaka University campus on February 26 by Islamist fanatics.