Bangladeshi journalists stage silent human chains over killings of peers in Palestine

Reporters in five cities decry targeting of media workers and urge urgent protection in conflict zones

Journalists across Bangladesh have formed simultaneous “silent human chains” to protest against the killing of reporters in Palestine, including Gaza.

From 4pm on Friday, journalists and media workers in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi and Barishal stood shoulder-to-shoulder for more than half an hour in a show of solidarity with colleagues reporting amid the violence in Palestine.

Organisers said, since Israel’s aggression began two years ago, at least 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza, with media workers repeatedly targeted during military operations.

In Dhaka, the vigil at the Central Shaheed Minar ended with a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of those killed.

A joint statement by participating journalists demanded an end to the targeting of reporters in Gaza, stressing that journalists are civilians performing a professional duty to inform and must not be turned into victims.

The protest also mourned at least five journalists killed in an Israeli strike on a hospital in Khan Younis on Aug 25.

The statement reaffirmed press freedom and called on the international community to take urgent steps to protect journalists in conflict areas.