Two Student Journalists Assaulted by Bangladesh Chhatra League Members

February 17, 2024

Professor A.S.M. Maksud Kamal, Vice Chancellor
University of Dhaka
Administrative Building (Ground Floor)
Nilkhet Road
Shahbag, Dhaka, 1000
Bangladesh
Phone: +88-09666911463
E-mails: maksudkamal@du.ac.bd & vcoffice@du.ac.bd

Dear Vice Chancellor, A.S.M. Maksud Kamal:

The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.

We are writing regarding Faisal Ahmed, a second-year English department student at Dhaka College and campus correspondent of the Daily Bangladesh, and Obaidur Saeed, Dhaka College correspondent at the Bangla Tribune and office secretary of the Dhaka College Journalists’ Association. The media reported that on September 27th, members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) assaulted Faisal Ahmed for not participating in BCL meetings and programs. Subsequently, they detained and tortured Obaidur Saeed for fifteen hours on September 28th for having reported Faisal’s assault. The six assailants were expelled from the BCL following student-organized protests.

The Committee is concerned for the safety of journalists and students on the Dhaka College campus. These events threaten the reputation of your university as a place where students enjoy freedom of expression. A collective effort between government, university, and student-group officials is necessary to ensure the safety of students, journalists, and academics on campus.

We would appreciate receiving a clear plan from your administration about a strategy to ensure such events do not occur again. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

Sincerely,

CC:

Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, Minister of Education
Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh
Building No-06
Bangladesh Secretariat
Ramna, Dhaka
Bangladesh
Phone: +880-2-9514114
E-mail: info@moedu.gov.bd