ARTICLE 19, a UK-based international human rights organization, has expressed deep concern over the allegation of intimidation by the police visit to the village home of the renowned journalist Zillur Rahman, the presenter of the popular talk show “Trithiya Marta” and executive director of the think tank Center for Governance Studies (CGS), in the name of gathering information.
Faruq Faisel, regional director of ARTICLE 19 South Asia. said: “Bangladesh constitution guarantees the right to life, personal and family life, reputation, protection of home and correspondence, and privacy. It is unacceptable and worrisome that police intimidate a celebrated journalist and rights activist like Zillur Rahman by going to his village home in the name of gathering information. Such activities by the police reflect a disturbing picture of violation of people's civic rights, lack of freedom of expression and shrinking civic space in Bangladesh”.
"In this incident, we could see again the tendency of the police to violate people's civic and political rights. In recent times, we observe a growing tendency in Bangladesh police to behave in a more authoritarian way by making illegal detentions, abusing forces, suing, intimidating, and harassing dissent," he added.
In a Facebook status on Thursday night, Zillur Rahman said policemen went to his Shariatpur village home to “collect information”.
He said he lives in Dhaka and has an office in the capital city as well. Police could have gone to his office or could phone him for any information they need. Despite this, law enforcement went to his village home.
Zillur Rahman alleged that this was done to scare him, his family and neighbours.
The police have done this to hinder my activities as an anchor and the activities of Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), he said.
“This is not only condemnable, it is extremely irritating to see that the police are being used to gag my voice,” he added.
ARTICLE 19 demanded immediate and appropriate investigation and punishment against the police officers and employees involved in the incident and also urged the police to be more sensitive in the exercise of protecting citizens' civil and political rights, freedom of expression, right to protest and democratic rights.
