DHAKA (NPTV/IFJ): Students-led protests against job-quotas (for the heirs of the so-called heroes of 1971 war,) turned violent and claimed lives of 165 people including (several cops and) one journalist identified as Mehedi Hasan who worked for Dhaka Times.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ, that represents over 600,000 journalists in 140 countries) joined its affiliate, the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF), in strongly condemning the killing, and urging protectors and authorities to ensure the safety of journalists and media workers.
Mehedi Hasan was killed on 18th day of July when he was shot in the head while covering a clash between law enforcement and protesting students and activists in Dhaka’s southern Jatra Bari area.
The killing was confirmed by Dhaka Times Editor Arif-ur-Rahman Dolon, however the perpetrators or circumstances are currently unconfirmed.
That evening, thousands of protesters set the offices of Bangladesh Television (BTV) in central Dhaka alight with journalists and media workers reportedly still inside, while vandalizing several vehicles parked outside.
The protesters had chased police in response to increasing violence against protesters by police and political activists.
As of 23rd July, Amnesty International South Asia reported that over 170 people have been killed and hundreds, including journalists, have been injured as protests are met with violence from law enforcement.
Bangladeshi authorities restricted access to the internet and shut down phone access from 18th July, with a nationwide curfew imposed on 20th July.
Late last month, the High Court of Bangladesh reinstated a job quota that reserved close to one-third of civil services posts for the children of those who participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
Responding to the protests, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ordered the quota for the families of veterans to be scaled back to five per cent on 21st July, with an additional two prevent for ethnic minorities, as well as transgender and disabled people.
The BMSF said: “TheBangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum strongly condemns the attack on the Shomoy TV journalists while performing their professional duty in Shahbagh areas.”
The IFJ said: “The killing of journalist Mehedi Hasan is deplorable and must be subject to an immediate and thorough investigation.
“Media coverage of protest movements and unfolding events is deeply important, and authorities must ensure the safety of journalists and media workers through these periods.”
Newspakistan.tv/IFJ
