Bangladesh: Farzana Rupa and Husband Arrested While Attempting to Flee Country Following Government Change
Women Press Freedom calls for complete transparency about accusations against the journalist and her husband
Location: Bangladesh, Dhaka
Date: August 21, 2024
Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned about the arrest of Bangladeshi journalist Farzana Rupa who, along with her husband Shakil Ahmed, was taken into custody at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka. We call for complete transparency regarding the accusations against the journalist couple and the proof supporting them. It is crucial for Bangladeshi authorities to ensure an impartial investigation, as it is essential in the provision of justice and upholding the values of press freedom.
Farzana Rupa, a prominent journalist, and her husband were taken into custody on August 20, 2024, while attempting to depart from Bangladesh with their daughter. The couple, both former employees of the television channel Ekattor TV, were arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, according to airport sources. They were en route to Paris, France, via Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight when the authorities intervened.
The arrest was reportedly linked to a murder case filed with the Shahbagh police station. Sources at the airport confirmed that the couple was detained after failing to receive departure clearance from the Special Branch of police. Despite having received initial clearance from immigration authorities and multiple intelligence agencies, the DB team arrived at the airport to take them into custody, citing the pending case.
Farzana Rupa served as a principal correspondent and anchor, while her husband, Ahmed, held the position of former head of news at Ekattor TV. Both were dismissed from their roles on August 8, following the political upheaval in Bangladesh that resulted in the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after more than a month of deadly protests. These protests, driven by widespread public frustration over corruption and elite control, culminated in violent clashes, claiming over 600 lives and leaving many more injured.
The unrest, led primarily by student movements, forced the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, ending her 15-year rule. Since then, an interim government has taken over in Dhaka, pledging to address the root causes of the unrest and restore stability. However, the political situation remains fragile.
In this tumultuous environment, journalists have faced increasing threats and violence. Among those assaulted while covering the protests were female journalists Fabeha Monir and Nadia Sharmeen, incidents documented by Women Press Freedom. Earlier this week, an attack on the East West Media Group, followed by an assault on the Chittagong Press Club on August 14 that left 20 journalists injured, underscored growing concerns about the safety of the press.
Rupa and her husband are currently being held at the DB office for questioning related to the case. Their detention has raised alarm among press freedom advocates, who fear that the charges may be politically motivated. Women Press Freedom has called for a thorough and transparent investigation, urging the interim government to ensure that the journalists' legal rights are respected.
"Regardless of the charges against Farzana Rupa and her husband, we urge the interim setup in Dhaka to ensure justice," a spokesperson for Women Press Freedom said. "No journalist should be targeted due to charges that indicate political bias, and the law should not be misused to harass them."
As Bangladesh navigates this period of uncertainty, the international community will be watching closely to see how the interim government handles cases involving journalists and whether it upholds the principles of democracy and press freedom.
Women Press Freedom call on the interim government of Bangladesh to conduct a fair, impartial, and transparent investigation into the charges against Farzana Rupa and her husband. It is imperative that due process is followed and that the couple's legal rights are respected. Any attempt to use the legal system to exert political pressure or to retaliate against journalists for their work would be a grave violation of democratic principles and freedom of the press.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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