Arrest of Rozina a major strike against media freedom: HRW

International human rights watchdog, Human Rights Watch, on Thursday said that the detention of journalist Rozina Islam was a major strike against media freedom and urged Bangladesh authorities to drop all oppressive charges against her.

‘Rozina Islam’s colleagues believe she was detained over her reporting on corruption and mismanagement in the public health sector, including the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic,’ said HRW in a statement posted on its official website.

‘Bangladesh authorities should produce evidence of wrongdoing or immediately release Rozina Islam and stop arresting journalists for doing their job, which is also to highlight governance flaws,’ said Brad Adams, Asia director of HRW.

‘Instead of locking up critics, encouraging a free press should be central to the government’s strategy to strengthen health services in combatting the pandemic.’

‘In a video recording by another journalist after her hearing on May 18, Islam said that, ‘because of my reporting on the health ministry, I am being wronged.’ Her recent work includes reporting on bribery in recruitment at the health directorate, irregularities in the purchasing of emergency medical supplies to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, and for holding much-needed donated emergency medical supplies at the airport for ten months,’ the statement said.

‘The Bangladesh Editor’s Council said that Rozina Islam’s arrest under a colonial-era law is ‘the manifestation of the negative attitude and the evil mentality of the authorities concerned to gag newspapers.’ The Committee to Protect Journalists called for her release, while a spokesperson for the UN secretary-general expressed concern,’ it said.

‘Bangladesh authorities have frequently gone after journalists and the media for reporting critically on the government’s response to the pandemic. For instance, in May 2020, the authorities arrested four people and charged seven others for ‘spreading rumours and misinformation on Facebook’ because they criticised the government’s response to the pandemic,’ the statement said.

‘The arrest of Rozina Islam sends a terrifying message to journalists uncovering corruption in Bangladesh,’ Adams said. ‘By speaking out for Rozina Islam, concerned governments will be standing with Bangladeshi journalists across the country.’

News Courtesy:

https://www.newagebd.net/article/138279/arrest-of-rozina-a-major-strike-against-media-freedom-hrw