Amnesty International has formally called on Bangladeshi authorities to drop all charges against Ekattor Television chief reporter Farzana Rupa and managing director Mozammel Haque. The demand follows the International Crimes Tribunal’s (ICT) decision to bring new charges against the two journalists, linking them to a 2013 television report concerning the fatal crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam protesters at Shapla Square.
The charges, filed on March 7, allege that the journalists broadcast a “misleading” report that downplayed the casualties resulting from the May 5, 2013, operation. At the time, security forces moved to disperse approximately 200,000 demonstrators, sparking a long-contested debate over the death toll that remains a point of political sensitivity in the country.
Legal Status and Pretrial Detention
Both journalists are currently held in pretrial detention on separate, unrelated charges stemming from the political unrest of July 2024. Farzana Rupa has been detained since August 2024, facing nine counts of murder. Mozammel Haque, who has been in custody since September 2024, faces a total of five charges, including four counts of murder and one of extortion. Legal filings for these murder cases are extensive, with many naming over 200 individuals as suspects.
Smriti Singh, South Asia Regional Director for Amnesty International, stated that the inclusion of the 2013 reporting as a basis for prosecution in a crimes-against-humanity case represents a significant departure from standard legal practice. “Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Haque, who are already in detention, now face vague new charges relating to a story that was aired more than a decade ago,” Singh said. “Their arrest in a case related to crimes against humanity is an affront to fundamental principles of press freedom and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the right of all journalists to report without fear of retaliation.”
Institutional Concerns and Due Process
Amnesty International’s intervention also criticizes the broader operations of the International Crimes Tribunal. The organization highlighted persistent concerns regarding the fairness of proceedings at the ICT, noting that the tribunal has historically utilized the death penalty—a practice Amnesty International opposes in all circumstances regardless of the nature of the crime.
The organization argued that the legal pursuit of journalists for their past editorial decisions creates an environment where media outlets are forced to self-censor to avoid future retaliation. “Freedom of expression extends to information which some may find offensive, shocking or disturbing,” Singh added. “Journalists must not be targeted for opinions which are disagreeable, or their perceived links to political parties.”
The ICT has ordered that the jail authorities produce the two journalists, alongside other high-profile detainees including former minister Dipu Moni, for a scheduled hearing on May 14. As of now, the charges remain active, and the tribunal has not issued a response to the calls for the cases to be dismissed.
