A UN expert on Tuesday expressed grave concerns over recent mob attacks targeting leading media outlets and cultural institutions in Bangladesh, calling on the government to bring all the perpetrators to justice without delay.

“The mob attacks did not emerge in a vacuum but are the consequences of the failure of the interim government to address impunity and uphold media and artistic freedom,” said Irene Khan, the UN special rapporteur on the freedom of expression and opinion.

“Over the past year, freedom of expression, especially media freedom, has come under significant pressure in Bangladesh from both state and non-state actors, online and offline,” she said in a statement.

The offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, as well as the Chhayanaut cultural centre were vandalised and torched, while New Age Editor Nurul Kabir was physically harassed, amid nationwide protests on Thursday after Inqilab Moncho Spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi succumbed to his gunshot wounds.

“I strongly condemn the targeted killing of an inspiring leader as well as the orchestrated mob violence against independent journalists and artistes which followed the announcement of his death,” Irene said.

“The weaponisation of public anger against journalists and artistes is dangerous at any time, and especially now as the country prepares for elections. It could have a chilling effect on media freedom, minority voices and dissenting views with serious consequences for democracy,” she said.

Since 5 August 2024, hundreds of journalists have been arrested on politically motivated, dubious charges of murder, terrorism and other serious crimes, and many have been arbitrarily detained for prolonged periods, the UN expert said, adding that several journalists have been killed, with the most recent case occurring last week.

She said the interim government has largely followed the previous patterns of impunity, normalising attacks and threats without consequences for the perpetrators.

In a string of incidents in recent months, journalists, editors, political commentators, cartoonists and satirists, as well as cultural organisations and women’s groups, have faced threats, hostility and violence from non-state actors, Irene Khan said.

“When hate speech and smear campaigns endanger the safety and reputation of media outlets, editors, journalists, artistes and civil society leaders, and no corrective action is taken by the government or social media platforms, then it is only a matter of time before the words translate into violence,” she said.

The UN special rapporteur called on the government to investigate the killing of Osman Hadi and the attacks on media outlets promptly, impartially, transparently and hold perpetrators to account with full due process.

She also urged the government to act rapidly to put in place effective protection and prevention measures to safeguard civil society, including journalists, in the lead-up to the election. “If the interim government is to live up to its promise to deliver safe and fair elections, it must uphold the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and ensure that journalists, human rights defenders, civil society leaders, political candidates, women and minorities are able to exercise their fundamental rights without fear of reprisals,” she said, adding that she is in contact with the government about this issue.