Responding to the arrest of journalist Anis Alamgir, who was detained on 15 December under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) after a complaint was filed against him and four others for allegedly spreading propaganda in favour of the Awami League, Amnesty International’s Rehab Mahamoor, said:
“Anis Alamgir’s arrest continues an alarming trend of individuals being targeted for being perceived to support activities of the now banned Awami League. Rather than misusing anti-terror legislation to silence people expressing their views and opinions, the interim government and authorities should instead be facilitating freedom of expression and association, including in the lead up to elections.
“The interim government must respect its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and immediately release Anis Alamgir.”
According to media reports, Alamgir told the court: “I am a journalist. I question those in power. I have been doing this for two decades. My job is not to bow to anyone.”
Background
According to media reports, Anis Alamgir was arrested following a complaint alleging that he and four others had used their social media accounts and other media platforms to support the Awami League. Alamgir has been remanded for five days by a Dhaka metropolitan magistrate court.
The ATA was amended in May this year, by the interim government, to ban the activities of the Awami League. Since its amendment, the ATA has been used against people purported to support the Awami League, including journalists such as Monjurul Alam Panna. The use of terror legislation to stifle freedom of expression and association is a violation of international law.
Bangladesh takes to the polls in February 2026. The interim government must take all steps to facilitate an environment which protects and fosters the human rights of all, regardless of their perceived political affiliations. Authorities must end the use of draconian legislation to infringe on freedoms which are essential to the functioning of a rights respecting society.
