The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international organization dedicated to defending press freedom, has expressed deep concern over the long-term imprisonment of four journalists: Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Haq Babu, and Shyamal Dutta. The global body reminded the BNP of its electoral commitments and demanded the release of the detained journalists.

Kunal Majumder, CPJ's Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator, conveyed this concern in a letter addressed to Law Minister Mohammad Asaduzzaman.

Copies of the email were also sent to Attorney General Barrister Md. Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan.

In its letter, CPJ stated that encouraging signals regarding press freedom were observed during the first few months of the new administration. Specifically, everyone welcomed the Prime Minister’s public distancing from the actions of the interim period. The BNP's commitment in its election manifesto to withdraw politically motivated cases against journalists and review repressive media laws had instilled hope in many observers, including CPJ.

The letter noted that these four journalists have been detained for over 18 months, accused in murder cases. However, CPJ’s documentation, family testimonies, and reviews by international legal consultants indicate that no credible evidence or charge sheets have been submitted against them to date. According to CPJ, the nature of these cases is clearly linked to their journalism and perceived political affiliations—practices from which the current government had pledged to move away.

Expressing grave concern over the physical condition and humanitarian crisis of the detained journalists, CPJ shared that Farzana Rupa was held for two weeks in November 2024 in a "condemnation cell" reserved for death-row inmates. Shyamal Dutta suffered a stroke within days of his detention on September 16, 2024, which was not immediately communicated to his family. Despite having a history of cardiac issues and severe sleep apnea, he has not received proper medical treatment in custody. Mozammel Haq Babu underwent surgery for prostate cancer in late 2023. Due to a lack of follow-up treatment, he currently faces a serious risk of cancer recurrence.

CPJ reminded that freedom of expression is protected under Article 39 of the Constitution of Bangladesh and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Bangladesh is a party to this covenant, and the government has reaffirmed this commitment in the international arena.

At the conclusion of the letter, CPJ requested the government to:
1. Withdraw the charges against Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Haq Babu, and Shyamal Dutta, allowing them the opportunity to return to their families.
2. Ensure urgent and advanced medical treatment for them in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs until their release.

The organization believes that resolving the cases of these four journalists would serve as a brilliant example of the government's commitment to reform internationally. A CPJ delegation has also expressed interest in visiting Dhaka later this year to discuss these matters.