Protect online activists in Bangladesh: UN

The United Nations today renewed its call for the security authorities in Bangladesh to ‘adequately protect’ online activists who might be at risk.

In a statement, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert D Watkins said the UN in Bangladesh is appalled by the killing of Nazim Uddin Samad and condemned the brutal crime.

Besides, European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon has strongly condemned the killing of Nazim.

Nazim, a master’s year student of Jagannath University and said to be an organiser of Gonojagoron Mancha, a secular campaigning group, was killed in the city on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old was reported to have been an organiser of the Ganajagran Manch, a secular campaigning group.

The UN also urged the security authorities to bring about a speedy closure to this most recent atrocity as well as to the other investigations underway.

Watkins laid emphasis on protecting the online activists adequately to ensure continued freedom of expression and opinion in the country as they are the foundations of a democratic society.

The UN has been raising its concerns about these incidents since the first killing three years ago and continues to call for thorough investigations to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice, Watkins said.

“In spite of the recent pause in the assassination of online activists, this attack demonstrates that this new killing is clearly part of a growing trend which undermines the freedom of expression and opinion in Bangladesh,” he said.

The UN, Watkins said, recognises that the Courts have delivered a verdict in the Rajib Haider murder case in January this year, two years after the killing.

Jagannath University students demonstrating at the gates of their campus in Old Dhaka on April 7, 2016, protesting the murder of one of their fellow. Photo: Rashed Suman

In a statement, EU Ambassador Mayaudon from the EU Delegation to Bangladesh today reminded that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and emphasises the need for tolerance and respect for differing views.

He said the EU supports all efforts to ensure that citizens of Bangladesh may express their views freely and without fear.

Ambassador Mayaudon conveyed his condolences to the family of Samad and hoped that thorough investigation will bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.