Journalist Found Murdered in his Office in Bangladesh

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has grave concerns over the violence that continues to dominate the lives of journalists in Bangladesh, following the death of the fourth journalist in the country this year.

On Thursday November 17, 2005, Gautam Das, 28, district bureau chief of the Daily Shamokal was found strangled in his office. His hands and legs were broken and a rope was tied around his neck.

Friends and colleagues have reported that it was common for Das to sleep overnight in his office due to its distance from his home. They also claimed he had been threatened in the past but didn’t live in fear.

No motive is immediately known, however Das has a history of writing on local extortion, local businesses, drug dealings and recently on the activities of Islamic militant groups.

“This is yet another sad example of the dangers that journalists face in Bangladesh. The IFJ demands an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” said International Federation of Journalists president Christopher Warren.

Journalists and the media community have responded to Das’s death with an outpouring of solidarity. Friends and colleagues rushed to the Samakal offices in Faridpur. Journalists from the area came out into the streets demanding justice – they have announced four days in protest. The police superintendent of Faridpur joined the procession and promised a full investigation.

Further reaction came from the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA); both organisations condemned the killing and in separate statements called on police and government to take immediate action toward the arrest and punishment of Das’ killers.

“We stand in solidarity with our Bangladeshi friends at this difficult time. Our condolences go out to the Das family; we wish justice for them and for the people of Faridpur affected by this event,” said Warren.

“These atrocities against journalists cannot be permitted to continue. The Bangladeshi Government must step forward and demand an end to the violence,” said Warren.

Fore more information on attacks against the media in Bangladesh click here: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/bangladesh051021.html

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 933 0919


The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries