Like Avijit Roy’s family and friends, we hope his killers will soon be found and held to account before the law for his brutal murder.
This will not be enough, however, to ensure justice and safety for other writers who have been subjected to similar threats and violence to that endured by Avijit.
The government needs to take all threats of incitement to violence more seriously.
Impunity for inciting violence against others only emboldens and encourages those individuals who are minded to carry out vicious acts.
During the last decade, we have seen at least 15 cases where Islamist militants have been found responsible for the killing of teachers and writers who have been explicitly attacked following threats against them for their dissenting views on religion. Justice demands the government speed up progress on these cases.
However, the government must also take Thursday’s attack as a wake up call to take action when groups and individuals incite violence against others. It is shameful that the country has endured recurring instances of individuals being targeted for violence and murder for no reason other than their personal opinions.
Section 504 of the Penal Code prohibits intentional insults which are intended to provoke a breach of the peace and Section 505 clearly outlaws statements which may induce someone to commit an offence.
The harm done to society by repeated threats and encouragement imploring others to commit violence against people for their opinions, is obvious. This kind of intimidation and incitement to commit violence must not be allowed to stand.
