UN condemns Nazim murder, calls thorough investigation of all online activists killing

The UN in Bangladesh is “appalled” by the killing of Nazimuddin Samad and “condemns” the brutal crime of yet another online activist in Bangladesh.

Unknown assailants hacked and shot dead Nazim at the capital’s Sutrapur area on Wednesday night.
 
He was vocal against religious extremism online, and was also an organiser of Ganajagaran Mancha at his home town Sylhet.
 
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert Watkins in a statement said in spite of the recent pause in the assassination of online activists, “this attack demonstrates that this new killing is clearly part of a growing trend which undermines the freedom of expression and opinion in Bangladesh”.
 
He said the UN had been raising its concerns about these incidents since the first killing three years ago and continues “to call for thorough investigations to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice”.
 
The UN recognises that the Courts have delivered a verdict in the Rajib Haider murder case in January this year, two years after the killing.
 
However, the UN urges the security authorities to bring about a speedy closure to this most recent atrocity as well as to the other investigations underway.
 
The resident coordinator once again calls upon the security authorities “to adequately protect” other online activists who might be at risk.
 
This is to ensure continued freedom of expression and opinion in the country as they are the foundations of a democratic society, he said.