CJA calls on Bangladesh govt to release detained journalists

The Commonwealth Journalists Association says dozens remain behind bars for over a year on politically motivated charges

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The Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) has called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government to immediately release journalists detained on “spurious” charges.

In a statement issued on Monday, the organisation welcomed the elections held on Feb 12 and the new prime minister’s commitment to restoring the rule of law.

However, it urged the government to free “dozens of journalists” who it said have been jailed for more than a year, including on charges such as murder, in violation of their fundamental rights.

The CJA noted that in 2025 the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus had announced the withdrawal of 16,429 cases it described as groundless as part of efforts to restore confidence in the justice system.

The group said that among those still detained was CJA Vice-President and Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, who was arrested in September 2024 in connection with what the association called a baseless murder case.

“Since then, Shyamal, like many others, has been held in extremely harsh conditions and denied proper legal representation and bail,” the statement said.

The organisation also said that since July 2024, hundreds of journalists and media workers have faced physical attacks, with several killed, while others were dismissed from their jobs or stripped of press accreditation due to perceived political affiliations.

“These injustices must be redressed,” it said.

Referring to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Samoa in October 2024, the CJA said member states had adopted the Commonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression and the Role of the Media in Good Governance.

Those principles call on governments to act decisively to end impunity through impartial, prompt and effective investigations into killings, attacks and ill-treatment of journalists, and to bring perpetrators to justice.

The association urged the new Bangladesh government to release detained journalists, take action to end impunity for crimes against media workers, and ensure legal protections enabling journalists to work freely.

It also cited comments by UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Irene Khan, who said how Bangladesh’s courts handle cases involving detained journalists would be “a test of the pledges made by the new government”.

The statement was signed by CJA President Chris Cobb and Executive Committee member William Horsley.