Editors’ Council strongly condemns journalist Alif’s murder

The Editors’ Council has expressed deep anger, strong condemnation and protest over the murder of journalist Lutfullah Zaman Fakir Alif. At the same time the organisation has demanded arrest of the involved persons through a fair, impartial and quick investigation of the murder and ensuring exemplary punishment.

President of the Editors’ Council Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud expressed this condemnation and protest in a statement on Sunday (October 18).

It has been said in the statement that this murder is not only an incident of taking away the life of a citizen; it is a terrible attack on independent journalism, freedom of expression and the people’s right to know.

The Editors’ Council has said that ensuring the security of journalists is one of the responsibilities of the state in a democratic country. Incidents like attacks and murders on journalists are in no way acceptable. Deep sympathy has been expressed in the statement towards the grief-stricken family of the deceased journalist and solidarity has been expressed towards his colleagues.

It has been said in this that the Editors’ Council has demanded investigation with importance whether there was any political, personal or journalism-related dispute or previous threat incident behind the murder. Calling for the immediate arrest of every person involved directly and indirectly with the murder and bringing them under the law, the organisation has said that no one can be given immunity no matter what the political identity, social position or influence of the criminal is.

It has been further said in the statement that if the investigation is hindered under the pressure of any influential quarter or if the criminals get away, the people’s confidence in the security of journalists and the rule of law will be seriously damaged.

The Editors’ Council has called upon the government and the law and order forces to take effective measures immediately to ensure the security of journalists. The organisation has said that the path of revealing the truth cannot be closed by threatening, attacking or killing journalists.

Besides, the Editors’ Council has called upon the democratic forces, civil society and all related quarters to unite in favour of the security of journalists and independent journalism.

Emphasising stopping the culture of impunity in the murder of journalists in the statement, it has been said that the trial of the murder of Lutfullah Zaman Fakir Alif has to be ensured and exemplary punishment has to be given to the criminals. No compromise can be made in protecting the right to reveal the truth.