Bangla Press Club Venice, Italy, Holds Protest Meeting Demanding Swift Justice for Tuhin's Murder

Minhaj Hossain, Special Correspondent:

A protest meeting was held yesterday, Wednesday, August 13, organized by the Bangla Press Club in Venice, Italy, to condemn the recent murder of journalist Tuhin in Gazipur, Bangladesh, as well as the killing and persecution of journalists in other parts of the country.

The protest, presided over by Makshud Rahman, President of the organization and representative of Somoy TV in Italy, and moderated by Nazmul Hossain, General Secretary and representative of NTV, featured speeches from various journalists. Speakers included:

 * Minhaj Hossain, Organizing Secretary and representative of Channel S in Italy.

 * Sajib Al Hossain, Organizing Secretary and representative of I-ON TV in Italy.

 * Tisa Sultana, Joint General Secretary and representative of News24.

 * Mokhles Sarkar, Finance Secretary and representative of Amader Natun Somoy in Italy.

 * Abu Nayeem Bhuiyan, Law and Office Secretary and representative of ATN Bangla in Venice.

 * Narsin Akter, Women's Affairs Secretary and representative of TV One.

During the protest, journalists stated that there is no safety for journalists in Bangladesh today. They made a strong demand to the government to enact a Journalist Protection Act and called for the swift execution of those responsible for Tuhin's murder through a fast-track tribunal. Journalists also demanded compensation for Tuhin's family.

In his speech, Bangla Press Club Venice President Makshud Rahman said, "The way journalists are being killed and tortured in various parts of Bangladesh is very alarming. If the killing and persecution of journalists continue, no one will be able to get accurate information and news from home and abroad. This is because if one tries to report the truth or capture video footage, there is a risk of being killed, so the public will not receive any information from the country." He appealed to the Bangladesh government to implement a Journalist Protection Act immediately, bring the culprits in all such cases to justice through a fast-track tribunal, and withdraw all false cases filed against journalists. Makshud Rahman added, "It is time for all journalists at home and abroad to unite. There is no more time to delay. If journalists are united, no evil force will be able to rise again."

Journalist leaders of the Bangla Press Club, Venice, Italy, announced that if the government delays in taking action to protect journalists and stop their persecution, they will organize a movement with all European and expatriate journalists in the future.