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CPJ demanded to withdraw the case of journalist Rozina

The New York-based organization Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has demanded the withdrawal of the case filed against Rozina Islam, a senior reporter of Prothom Alo. They also demanded the return of Rozina Islam’s accreditation card, mobile phone and passport so that she could resume her professional duties to the best of her ability.

The group, which advocates for global media freedom, made the demands in a letter to Law Minister Anisul Haque and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday.

The letter, sent by Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia Program Coordinator, has been published on their website. Authorities arrested Rozina Islam, an award-winning investigative journalist, on May 17 for reporting on health care issues, including allegations of corruption in the health ministry, the letter said.

Rozina Islam was detained for more than five hours at the Ministry of Health that day after she went to perform her professional duties. She was prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act of the colonial era. Rozina Islam was released on bail after seven days in jail.

In the letter, the CPJ said it was concerned about the treatment of Rozina Islam by the Bangladesh authorities. The law against Rozina Islam will only discredit law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh and establish the law’s application for revenge against a journalist known for exposing corruption in the Ministry of Health.

Besides, Rozina Islam is being punished unjustly. Refusing to return the accreditation card has made it impossible for her to work as a journalist. Her work has been hampered by the seizure of his mobile phone and it has severely curtailed the freedom of the press. Her personal safety is also at risk. Without it, the confiscation of her passport has made it impossible for Rozina to go abroad with her husband for the necessary treatment.

The CPJ says it is completely harassment and it needs to be stopped. We call for the withdrawal of the charges against Rozina Islam and the immediate return of her documents and devices. The Bangladesh government should not create obstacles for journalists who are only working for them.

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