Media Release: Bangladesh                                                                         

April 8  2013

The

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned to learn of separate

assaults on four journalists by political activists during day-long protests in

the Bangladesh capital city of Dhaka on April 6.

According to

reports from IFJ’s partners and associates in Bangladesh, the journalists,

including one woman, were attacked while reporting on protests by the Islamist

political party, Hefajat-e-Islam.

The

demonstration by the political activists originated in the eastern port city of

Chittagong on April 5, where they allegedly assaulted Mohim Mirza, reporter of

Ekattor Television.

Nadia

Sharmeen, a reporter assigned to cover the rally by Ekushey Television, was

attacked by activists in the Motijheel area. Speaking to the media from a

hospital where she was taken for treatment, Nadia said that her attackers also

took her purse and mobile phone and told her that it was not a woman’s job to

cover the rally.

A number of

other female journalists were also reportedly attacked during the rally, though

they decided not to submit formal reports or identify themselves.

Reporter, Mohsin

Kabir and cameraperson, Khurshed Alam from SA Television, were both assaulted

and Khurshed’s camera was snatched while he recorded an interview with leaders

of the Islamist party in the Paltan area. Khurshed was admitted to a hospital

with serious wounds, while Mohsin was released after treatment.

Sohel Rana, a

cameraperson with ATN News was also injured during the day’s events after he

was attacked with sticks by political activists in front of Notre Dame College.

In the Savar

area of Dhaka city, TV camerapersons Abul Halim of Baishakhi and Nazmul Huda of

Ekushey, reported attempts to snatch their cameras as they shot footage of the

Hefajat-e-Islam’s march being blocked by police.

“We strongly

condemns these attacks which come amidst Islamist parties denouncing bloggers

and journalists reporting on the two-month long youth agitation over the trial of

those accused of war crimes from the country’s 1971 war of liberation, as “atheists”

and enemies of the faith” said IFJ Asia Pacific Director Jacqueline Park.  “We call for calmer counsels and an effort by

both the ruling party and opposition, to restrain the hostile rhetoric against

the media, which often triggers actual acts of violence”.

For

further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ

represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find

the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific