Some arrested journalists ‘complicit in crimes against humanity’: Adviser Zahed

Zahed Ur
Rahman, prime minister's adviser on information and broadcasting, has said that
filing specific murder cases against journalists arrested over the July
uprising was a wrong move.
However,
he personally believes that some of the arrested journalists are partially
responsible for crimes against humanity, which he considers a far graver
offence than a murder charge.
The PM’s
adviser said this in response to questions from reporters during a weekly press
briefing at the Secretariat's Press Information Department (PID) today. He
highlighted the recent initiatives taken by several ministries and departments.
Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed was also present at the
briefing.
The
adviser, who holds the rank of a state minister, explained that the journalists
are currently in custody for specific murder cases rather than genocide. He
noted that what occurred in July were crimes against humanity -- a systematic
pattern Sheikh Hasina had established long ago through actions like enforced
disappearances.
Zahed
emphasised that for some of these individuals, the gravity of their actions
exceeds a standard murder case, raising the question of their accountability
for crimes against humanity. He clarified that this reflects his personal
stance on the matter.
Drawing a
historical example, Zahed mentioned that during the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials
following World War II, those who created narratives that facilitated killings
were also brought to justice.
Zahed
added that even before taking office, he had expressed that the specific cases
under which these journalists were arrested were incorrect.
Regarding
journalists facing similar charges who have not yet been arrested, he assured
that the government would take appropriate measures.
He also
mentioned that the prime minister has assured the leaders of Newspaper Owners'
Association of Bangladesh that the government would do as much as possible in
collaboration with the judiciary, as the government cannot unilaterally
interfere in a judicial process.
















