Bangladesh: Adhora Yeasmein Sued by Religious Group After Reporting on Its Criminal Activities
The Coalition For Women In Journalism urges the court to dismiss the case
Location: Bangladesh, Dhaka
Date: July 10, 2023
Head of a religious group files a lawsuit against journalist Adhora Yeasmein following her exposé of its criminal activities. The journalist is charged under the Digital Security Act, controversial legislation that has been repeatedly used to legally harass and imprison journalists. The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls on the court to dismiss the case and urges the authorities to reform the Digital Security Act.
On July 10, RTV staff reporter Adhora Yeasmein was sued by Shakerul Kabir — the mastermind behind the Rajarbagh Pir Syndicate — two months after reporting on the religious group’s criminal activities. Kabir filed a case against Adhora under sections 24, 25, and 29 of the Digital Security Act 2018.
Several journalists have faced harassment from Kabir after reporting on the Pir Syndicate. Kabir himself — who is accused of extortion, land grabbing, and violence against women — has been arrested multiple times and has faced imprisonment.
“We believe the case against reporter Adhora Yeasmein under the Digital Security Act is motivated and fabricated,” said RTV's deputy head of news. “Our report is based on sufficient evidence and specific information. We are not afraid of this case, and instead, we will publish more investigative news against him as a result of this filing."
In her report, Adhora exposed the misdeeds of the syndicate — including extortion, harassment, land grabbing, and various other crimes. The reporter based her reporting on court documents and investigations by the National Human Rights Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
RTV initially removed Yeasmein’s report from its online platforms and social media a month after its publication. However, on July 11, the report was reposted on RTV's Facebook page under "The trap of halal cases'' as part of its investigative program, R-Investigation.
Abusing law to target journalists
Bangladesh’s Digital Security Act (DSA), introduced in 2018, aims to protect against online content that defames or harms the nation. Critics argue the law is used to suppress dissent and restrict freedom of speech. The act allows for searches without a warrant and carries lengthy prison sentences. A recent report revealed the DSA has been cited in over 1,000 cases involving politicians and journalists.
According to the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), journalists are legally harassed under the Digital Security Act, despite its intended purpose of protecting sensitive state matters. The union condemns the charges against Adhora Yeasmein and calls for the immediate cancellation of clauses in the act that target journalists.
Authorities in Bangladesh regularly weaponize the law to silence critical journalists. Renowned journalist Rozina Islam continues to face harassment and intimidation from the state due to her investigative work. She has been targeted under the penal code and the Official Secrets Act. The authorities persist with the case despite a previous investigation finding no evidence against the journalist.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed by the frequent use of the Digital Security Act to sue and imprison journalists. Since its introduction, it has been weaponized as a legal tool of the powerful and the state to intimidate journalists and discourage investigations. The case against Adhora Yeasmein has no merit. We urge the court to dismiss this lawsuit immediately and allow the press to report free from legal harassment.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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