The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression Irene Khan has warned that a climate of entrenched impunity is fuelling mob violence in Bangladesh, citing the interim government’s failure to protect media and artistic freedom. In a statement, Khan called the arson and vandalism of The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and the Chhayanaut cultural centre, along with the attack on the editor of New Age, “deeply alarming.”

 

The attacks took place on December 18 amid nationwide protests following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Khan said, freedom of expression in Bangladesh has come under sustained assault from both state and non-state actors. Since August 5, 2024, the UN says hundreds of journalists have been arrested on politically motivated charges, many arbitrarily detained, and several killed. She accused the interim government of perpetuating a culture of impunity, allowing threats, smear campaigns and violent attacks against journalists, artists and civil society to go unpunished.

 

However, observers have noted that while highlighting attacks on media and cultural institutions, Khan’s statement did not reference the very recent incident of mob lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh over allegations of blasphemy.