- UN report reveals extensive human rights violations against journalists during Bangladesh’s 2024 protests.
- At least six journalists killed; approximately 200 injured amid violent crackdowns.
- Intelligence agencies and government officials allegedly intimidated media to control protest coverage.
- Reports of misinformation campaigns and censorship by state-backed entities.
- UN demands independent investigations and accountability for abuses against media personnel.
A recent report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), released on February 12, 2025, reveals severe human rights violations against journalists in Bangladesh. These violations occurred during student-led protests between July 15 and August 5, 2024. The report exposes systematic repression, including harassment, intimidation, and violence against media personnel covering the protests.
The report highlights that Bangladeshi intelligence agencies, such as the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the National Security Intelligence (NSI), used extensive intimidation tactics to control media narratives. High-ranking officials allegedly visited newsrooms and journalists’ homes, threatening them to change their reporting. This created a climate of fear among journalists.
According to the report, government officials pressured media outlets to broadcast misleading information, manipulating public perception. As a result, journalists felt compelled to practice self-censorship to avoid reprisals from authorities. This situation severely impacted press freedom during the protests.
Journalists Targeted During Protests
During the protests, at least six journalists died, and around 200 were injured while covering demonstrations in Dhaka, Sylhet, and Sirajganj. Security forces reportedly used excessive force, including live ammunition and rubber bullets. This led to casualties among reporters and photojournalists documenting the events.
One incident in the report mentions a journalist’s death in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on July 18, 2024. Police allegedly shot him while he was reporting on a protest. The next day, another journalist died in Sylhet during a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rally.
The report also points out state-backed entities spreading misinformation. They used media outlets to distort facts about the protests. In some cases, security forces raided newsrooms, attacked journalists, and forced them to change news coverage to align with government narratives.
One significant case involved the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) raiding a media house. They physically assaulted staff and threatened them at gunpoint. They demanded the identity of a journalist who was investigating human rights abuses.
UN Urges Bangladesh to Protect Journalists’ Rights
The OHCHR called on the Bangladeshi government to investigate human rights violations against journalists. It stressed the importance of accountability to restore press freedom. It also emphasized the need to protect media workers’ rights in Bangladesh.
International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, supported the UN’s demand for justice. They urged the interim Bangladeshi government to repeal repressive laws like the Cyber Security Act. They also called for the protection of freedom of expression.
The UN report revealed the harsh repression journalists faced during Bangladesh’s 2024 protests. This raised serious concerns about press freedom and human rights. As global pressure increases, the call for justice and accountability continues to grow.