109 distinguished citizens issue joint statement on death of Bibhuranjan Sarkar

A total of 109 prominent individuals, including human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, writers, educators, artists, and activists from Bangladesh and abroad, have come together to demand a thorough and impartial investigation into the tragic death of journalist and columnist Bibhuranjan Sarkar. They also call for proper legal action in response to the allegations published against the Media Wing of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The statement notes that since August 5 of the previous year, journalists in Bangladesh have been suffering severe oppression. Freedom of expression in the media and on social platforms is being restricted, and journalists are being suppressed through various forms of written and unwritten controls, pressure, and fear.

The signatories state that the latest victim of this oppression is journalist Bibhuranjan Sarkar, whose body was found on August 22 in a river. On the same day, a national daily published an open letter written by him, where he directly accused the government of creating "pressure" and "fear" for journalists. In response to this incident, both domestic and international prominent citizens have issued this joint statement.

They demand that an immediate judicial investigation be conducted into Bibhuranjan Sarkar's death and the allegations mentioned in his open letter. They also call for the withdrawal of all harassment cases against journalists, the release of arrested journalists, and an end to the oppression of journalists.

The statement further mentions that in the past 13 months, over 300 journalists have been named in murder and harassment cases, and at least 40 have been arrested. Even a year after certain incidents, cases against journalists continue to be filed, and some are being re-investigated in old cases. Moreover, the bank accounts of over a hundred journalists have been frozen, 168 press accreditation cards have been revoked, and thousands of journalists have been dismissed from their jobs. Some have even been harassed with corruption charges. As a result, many journalists have been forced to leave the country due to security concerns.

The distinguished citizens call for the immediate release of all imprisoned journalists, the withdrawal of all harassment cases, and an end to any kind of oppression against journalists.

Here is the simplified English translation of the list of signatories:

Signatories of the Joint Statement:

1. Dr. Nurun Nabi, Writer and Freedom Fighter, USA
2. Rajjakul Haider Chowdhury, President of the 71 Brigade and Freedom Fighter
3. Professor Omar Selim Sher, Freedom Fighter, Canada
4. Siru Bangali, Freedom Fighter, USA
5. Tajul Imam, Freedom Fighter and Artist, USA
6. Gilbert Nirmal Bain, Freedom Fighter
7. Dr. Mohsin Ali, Freedom Fighter, USA
8. Akhtar Zaman, Freedom Fighter and Judge, Sweden
9. Former Ambassador Harun Al Rashid
10. Engineer Monirul Islam Manju, Canada
11. Poet and Writer Taslima Nasrin
12. Dr. Sejan Mahmud, Writer, Poet, and Professor, USA
13. Journalist Fazlul Bari, Australia
14. Journalist Dostgir Jahangir, USA
15. Journalist Saiful Amin, Canada
16. Professor Dr. Shyamal Das, USA
17. Barrister Monirul Islam Manju, UK
18. Barrister Said Abedin, UK
19. Dr. Raihan Rashid, Trustee, ICSF, UK
20. Dr. Abul Hasnat Milton, Writer and Professor, Australia
21. Former Diplomat Engineer Shafiqul Rahman Anu, New Zealand
22. Dr. Pradip Ranjan Kar, Organizer, USA
23. Dr. Dilip Nath, USA
24. Writer and Columnist Sheetanshu Guha, USA
25. Advocate Shah Bakhtiar, USA
26. Hakikul Islam Khokon, USA
27. Shafiqul Alam Barkat, USA
28. Mostain Dhorra Billah, USA
29. Rowshan Ara Nipa, USA
30. Professor Dr. Neeru Kamrun Nahar, USA
31. Shamim Chowdhury, President, Bangladesh Human Rights Watch, USA
32. Engineer Mohammad Ali Siddiquee, Secretary General, Bangladesh Human Rights Watch, USA
33. Professor Abdur Razzaque, Dhaka University
34. Former Diplomat Arifa Rahman Ruma, USA
35. Journalist Sabbir Khan, Sweden
36. Professor Dr. A.K.M. Jamal Uddin, Dhaka University
37. Dr. Forhad Ali Khan, Former VP, Dhamek Su, Sweden
38. Syed Borhan Kabir, Editor-in-Chief, Bangla Insider
39. Sohel Haider Chowdhury, Former President, Dhaka Journalists Union
40. Akhtar Hossain, General Secretary, Dhaka Journalists Union.
41. Pulak Ghatak, Former Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists
42. Riaz Haider Chowdhury, President, Chittagong Union of Journalists
43. Sheikh Jamal, Editor, Daily Mukhapatra and Former Organizing Secretary, Dhaka Reporters Unity
44. Saiduzzaman Samrat, President, Khulna Union of Journalists
45. Khairul Alam, Former Joint General Secretary, Dhaka Union of Journalists
46. Hamid Mohammad Jasim, General Secretary, Swadhinata Journalists Parishad
47. Shafik Babu, Senior Journalist
48. Artist Md. Moniruzzaman
49. Rokeya Prachi, Actress and Convener, Sammilito Sangskritik Parishad
50. Aruna Biswas, Actress
51. Recitation Artist Rabi Shankar Maitri, France
52. Journalist Nazrul Kabir, Former Vice President, DRU
53. Sajeda Parveen, Former Vice President, Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF)
54. Engineer Zia Karim, Political Analyst, USA
55. Robin Ahsan, Publisher, Shraban
56. Journalist Nizamul Haque Bipul
57. Shaila Ahmed Lopa, Human Rights Activist, Canada
58. Taimur Faruq Tushar, Editor, BanglaNews24.com
59. Writer and Human Rights Activist Afsana Kishowar Lochon, Canada
60. Journalist and Actress Dipanwita Martin
61. Md. Sadiq Hasan, Advisor, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
62. Professor Ishtiak Jamil, University of Bergen, Norway
63. Researcher Dr. Aminur Rahman, Norway
64. Saifullah Mahmud Dulal, Poet and Novelist
65. Engineer Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, Human Rights Activist and Political Analyst, USA
66. Rahman Mamun, Human Rights Defender, Switzerland
67. Rana Hasan Mahmud, Political Analyst, USA
68. Pushpita Gupta, President, Secular Bangladesh Movement UK
69. Dr. Nowreen Tamanna, Legal Expert, UK
70. Shelina Afroze Jaman, Teacher, Sweden
71. Professor Dr. Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Karzon, University of Dhaka
72. Professor Dr. S.M. Masum Billah, Jagannath University
73. Zakirul Haque Titon, Editor & Publisher, Khoborwala
74. Bani Yasmin, Editor, Bibarta
75. Journalist Khandaker Ismail, Canada
76. Khorshedul Alam Khorsru, Film Producer
77. Anamika Priyobhashini, Human Rights Activist
78. Mushfiq Gulzar, Filmmaker
79. Shah Alam Kiron, Filmmaker
80. Dr. Masud Pathik, Poet and Filmmaker
81. Tanvir Haider Bhuiyan, Treasurer, University of Cumilla
82. Saimon Sadiq, Film Actor
83. Al Amin Babu, Organizer and Singer
84. Nahar Momtaz, President, All-European Bangabandhu Foundation, Sweden
85. Violet Halder, Editor & Publisher, Shomoyer Shobdo
86. Tuhin Das, Poet, USA
87. Engineer Saif Sams, Norway
88. Anirban Bhattacharya, Theatre Activist
89. Tamal Mahbub, Actor and Director
90. Jasmin Chowdhury, Social Justice Campaigner
91. Kutub Hilali, Editor, Banglalipi
92. Rana Meher, Social Worker and Political Analyst
93. Debesh Barua, Journalist, France
94. Khan Liton, Journalist, Germany
95. Journalist and Professor Apu Alam, France
96. Shubhashis Das, Activist
97. Shahadat Russel, Activist
98. Saifur Rahman, Activist
99. Azam Khan, Activist
100. Journalist Ansar Ahmed Ullah, UK
101. Journalist Sujat Monsur, UK
102. Journalist Matiar Chowdhury, UK
103. Journalist Jewel Raj, UK
104. Journalist Shah Mostafizur Rahman Belal, UK
105. Journalist Abdul Kader Murad, UK
106. Journalist Batirul Haque Sardar, UK
107. Journalist Monira Molly, UK
108. Journalist Abu Sufian, UK
109. Tawfiq Maruf, Journalist and Analyst.