Bangladesh faces renewed press freedom scrutiny as Amnesty International demands the release of journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Haque, warning that their arrest under the International Crimes Tribunal threatens freedom of expression and independent journalism in the country.
Fresh concerns over media freedom in Bangladesh have emerged after a leading international human rights organisation called for the immediate release of two detained journalists and urged authorities to withdraw all charges against them.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International on Friday expressed serious concern over the detention of journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Haque, alleging that both media professionals were being targeted because of their journalistic work. The organisation also urged Bangladeshi authorities to uphold freedom of expression and ensure the protection of press freedom in accordance with international human rights standards.
The appeal follows a recent order issued by the International Crimes Tribunal on May 14. The tribunal directed that Farzana Rupa, Mozammel Babu, and former minister Dipu Moni be shown arrested in connection with a case related to the 2013 crackdown on a rally organised by Hefazat-e-Islam at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka.
According to local reports, the tribunal bench headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder ordered the accused to be sent to jail while fixing June 7 for the submission of the investigation report.
Responding to the development, Amnesty International’s South Asia Regional Director Smriti Singh criticised the charges brought against the journalists. She stated that freedom of expression includes opinions and information that some people may consider offensive or disturbing, stressing that democratic societies must protect such rights to maintain healthy public discourse.
Singh further argued that journalists should not face prosecution for opinions that are unpopular or for alleged political associations. She said the two journalists, who are already in detention, are now confronting “vague new charges” connected to a television report broadcast more than a decade ago.
“Their arrest in a case linked to crimes against humanity undermines core principles of press freedom and creates a dangerous precedent for journalists working without fear of retaliation,” she said in the statement.
The controversy revolves around coverage of the violent crackdown on protesters at Shapla Square in May 2013, an incident that remains politically sensitive in Bangladesh. Authorities have reportedly accused the journalists of airing misleading information related to the casualties and events surrounding the operation.
Amnesty International also raised broader concerns regarding the functioning of the tribunal, pointing to longstanding criticism over fair trial standards, due process issues, and the use of the death penalty. The organisation reiterated its opposition to capital punishment in all circumstances.
The case has also drawn criticism from the Committee to Protect Journalists, which recently accused Bangladeshi authorities of using the tribunal mechanism to target members of the media. The organisation called for the immediate release of both journalists and warned against the misuse of judicial institutions to suppress critical reporting.
The International Crimes Tribunal was initially established in 2010 during the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to prosecute crimes committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Following the political transition in August 2024, the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus reportedly restructured the tribunal and amended related laws to prosecute individuals linked to the former Awami League government. Reports also indicate that Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025, further intensifying political tensions surrounding the tribunal’s operations.
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The latest arrests have renewed international scrutiny over Bangladesh’s commitment to press freedom, with rights groups warning that actions against journalists could have a lasting impact on independent media and democratic discourse in the country.
