Bangladesh Interim Government Faces Renewed Allegations of Journalist Attacks, Information Suppression
Dhaka, Bangladesh – The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has doubled down on its accusations against the interim government of Dr. Mohammed Yunus, alleging systematic attacks and intimidation against at least 640 journalists between August 2024 and March 2025. This renewed assertion follows a strong rebuttal from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing Facts, which labeled the RRAG’s initial report, published in The Hindu, as “wildly misleading disinformation.” The escalating war of words raises serious concerns about press freedom and government transparency in Bangladesh under the Yunus administration.
The RRAG bases its claims on data compiled by the Dhaka-based Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF), which meticulously monitored local newspapers and verified reports of violence, intimidation, and legal action against journalists. According to the MSF, 182 journalists faced criminal charges, 206 experienced direct acts of violence or intimidation, and a further 85 were summoned by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). RRAG Director Suhas Chakma pointed to a May 3, 2025, Daily Star report indicating 266 journalists facing criminal cases since August 5, 2024, arguing that their figure of 640 affected journalists is likely an underestimate. Chakma dismissed the government’s denial as “Goebbels-speak,” suggesting a deliberate attempt to distort the truth and suppress dissent.
The RRAG further accused the interim government of directly targeting journalists, particularly through the BFIU’s summoning of 85 individuals and requests for their banking details. The organization argues that such actions, coupled with the numerous criminal cases filed against journalists, demonstrate a pattern of government-sanctioned harassment. The RRAG contends that Dr. Yunus, despite his Nobel Peace Prize, misinterprets the legal mandate of a government, interim or otherwise, to uphold human rights and protect journalists within its jurisdiction. The organization insists the government is responsible for both acts of commission and omission regarding human rights violations.
The dispute extends beyond the alleged attacks on journalists to encompass the government’s handling of the September 2024 violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The RRAG maintains its figure of nine deaths, based on reports from Khagrachari Hospital of unidentified bodies, while criticizing the government’s delayed response and lack of transparency. An inquiry committee, formed in September 2024 and tasked with submitting a report within 14 working days, has yet to release its findings after seven months. The RRAG interprets this delay as a deliberate attempt to conceal the truth about the violence and shield those responsible. Chakma stressed the government’s lack of credibility in disputing the death toll without first releasing its own investigative report.
Further complicating the narrative is the RRAG’s characterization of the Chief Adviser’s Fact-Checking Unit as a "Disinformation Lab." This claim stems from an earlier exchange regarding the RRAG’s report on the Chittagong Hill Tracts violence. The RRAG claims to have prompted the Fact-Checking Unit to correct its initial reporting, and suggests that the government’s awareness of these private communications proves the Unit operates as an extension of the Press Wing, designed to control the narrative rather than verify facts. This allegation raises serious concerns about the independence and objectivity of the government’s fact-checking mechanisms.
Adding another layer of contention is Dr. Yunus’s public statement downplaying religiously motivated violence following the fall of Sheikh Hasina. Before any official investigations, Yunus claimed there was no clear distinction between Awami League supporters and Hindus concerning attacks on religious minorities. The RRAG criticizes this statement as premature and irresponsible, accusing Yunus of minimizing the gravity of the situation and potentially influencing subsequent investigations. The organization insists that a head of government should base their pronouncements on verified findings, not "figments of imagination."
The RRAG’s persistent allegations and the interim government’s equally forceful denials paint a concerning picture of the state of press freedom and government transparency in Bangladesh. The delayed release of the Chittagong Hill Tracts inquiry report, the alleged targeting of journalists through legal and financial mechanisms, and the controversy surrounding the government’s fact-checking unit all contribute to an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion. The international community will be closely watching how the Yunus administration addresses these serious allegations and whether it takes concrete steps to ensure the safety and freedom of the press in Bangladesh. The credibility of Dr. Yunus’s interim government hangs in the balance as these accusations remain unresolved, threatening to undermine his legacy and further destabilize the country’s political landscape.
