13 Nations Urge Bangladesh to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
On Sunday (November 2), the diplomatic network of the Media Freedom Coalition in Bangladesh issued a joint statement on the occasion of the 11th International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
In the statement, the coalition welcomed Bangladesh’s commitment to reforming the media sector and to implementing the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission to protect journalists’ rights. It said, “We encourage all actors to uphold accountability and ensure press freedom in order to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists.”
The Media Freedom Coalition is a partnership of countries working to ensure media freedom at home and abroad. It was established in 2019 and currently includes more than 50 member countries across six continents.
However, the joint statement was signed by Australia, Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Although the United States is a member of the coalition, it did not sign the statement.
The statement said that on the 11th global observance of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the diplomatic network of the Media Freedom Coalition in Bangladesh reaffirms the need to provide journalists and media professionals with the protections and fundamental safeguards that their profession demands.
It further stated, “We draw attention to the continuing need to advance gender equality within the media landscape, to dismantle barriers that perpetuate discrimination and violence, and express our concern over the growing threat of online violence disproportionately targeting women journalists and media workers.”
