Statement by 101 Eminent Citizens Against Complaints Filed at the Tribunal Against Writers, Journalists, Cultural Activists, Actors, and Actresses

To safeguard freedom of expression, the free development of the cultural arena, and professional security, we—concerned citizens, writers, artists, intellectuals, teachers, lawyers, journalists, and representatives of various professions of the country—express our deep concern over the filing of a complaint by an unknown and unsupported organization at the Office of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal against a few journalists, theater personalities, performing artists, and cultural figures.

In a democratic state, any individual or organization has the right to seek recourse through the law. However, this right should never be used as a tool to curtail the freedom of expression of individuals, artists, or journalists, to harass them professionally, or to intimidate dissenting voices. Taking such steps in the public sphere without verifying the basis, evidence, and legal acceptability of the complaint can damage the social and professional dignity of the individuals concerned and create an intimidating environment in the cultural and media spheres.

We believe that freedom of expression is a fundamental prerequisite for the development of art, literature, journalism, and cultural practice. Continuous complaints and harassing activities against artists, journalists, or citizens due to dissent, criticism, or political stance weaken the democratic environment and create a culture of self-censorship and fear in society.

It is also necessary for the relevant institutions of the state to remain vigilant so that the law is not used for personal, political, or vindictive purposes.

We call upon the relevant authorities not to create opportunities to harass any citizen professionally or socially through unreasonable or baseless complaints. At the same time, we call upon all democratic forces, cultural organizations, the journalistic community, and conscious citizens of the country to stand with the government in protecting freedom of expression, the rule of law, and civil rights.

Senders of the Message

• Arif Nazrul

  Poet and Publisher

  01712092492

  anazrul75@gmail.com

• Mir Rabi

  Poet and Columnist

  mirrabi@proton.me

  01755100304

Signatories

1. Renowned poet Nirmalendu Goon

2. Ekushey Padak-winning writer Dr. Nurun Nabi

3. Saifullah Mahmud Dulal, poet and journalist

4. Rahim Shah, Bangla Academy Award-winning children’s literature writer

5. Dr. Shamim Ahmed, professor, writer, and analyst, Canada

6. S M Masum Billah, professor

7. Dr. Mahmud Hasan, associate professor, Department of Law, Carleton University, Canada

8. Dr. Mukid Chowdhury, fiction writer

9. Dr. Pradip Mahbub, teacher and writer

10. Sujat Mansur, writer and researcher

11. Dr. Farid Ahmed, teacher and researcher

12. Humayun Kabir Dhali, children’s literature writer

13. Arif Nazrul, poet and publisher

14. Hasan Al Abdullah, poet and editor

15. Dr. Sazia Afrin, physician

16. Dr. Shankhamoy Ghosh, physician

17. Aniket Shamim, poet

18. Dr. Shibly Chowdhury, associate professor

19. Dr. Masud Pathik, poet and filmmaker

20. Swikriti Barua, organizer

21. Abdul Gaffar Roni, science writer

22. Abu Saleh Roni, journalist

23. Jewel Raj, journalist

24. Dewan Gous Sultan, researcher

25. Mohammad Hormuz Ali, writer and political figure

26. Sohrab Sumon, fiction writer and translator

27. Sabbir Khan, journalist

28. Mizanur Rahman Khan, political figure and cultural activist

29. Mehedi Hasan, journalist

30. Dr. Sakhawat Noyon, fiction writer

31. Tushar Ahmed, PhD researcher, University of Manchester

32. Shayla Ahmed Lopa, social activist

33. Fakir Elias, poet

34. Sirajia Parvez, rhyme writer and lyricist

35. Shams Sayeed, fiction writer

36. Sanjay Sarkar, writer

37. Kaiyum Khan, poet

38. Khaled Chowdhury, short story writer

39. Noorjahan Neera, poet

40. Mir Rabi, poet and columnist

41. Rabeya Mitu, conscious citizen

42. Syed Helal Saif, poet

43. Mahmuda Sultana, poet

44. Farhana Elias Tuli, poet

45. Swapneel Firoj, poet

46. Milan Sabyasachi, poet

47. Shamima Akhter, writer

48. Mahmud Noman, poet

49. Farjina Akhter, writer

50. Sarowar Sabur, activist

51. Sarowar Jahan, poet

52. Jamshed Shamim, actor

53. Monira Bubli, cultural activist

54. Rashed Rehman, fiction writer and editor

55. Ayesha Jebin, lawyer and writer

56. Liton Kumar Dhali, teacher and journalist

57. Asim Kumar Debnath, journalist

58. Alamgir Masud, short story writer and editor

59. Alamgir Rumi, publisher

60. Jahangir Hossain, teacher and cultural activist

61. Ajay Kumar Roy, poet and publisher

62. Alamgir Shahriar, writer and researcher

63. Apon Opu, writer

64. Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, professional

65. Mehedi Hasan, journalist and writer

66. Sheikh Shah Alam, producer and distributor

67. H M A Haque Bappi, journalist and columnist

68. Robin Ahsan, writer and publisher

69. Akramul Haque, activist

70. M M Meherul, youth organizer

71. Manik Bairagi, poet

72. Shahed Kayes, poet and essayist

73. Shahriar Rion, cultural activist and political analyst

74. Dalton Soubhat Heer, poet

75. Mahmudul Hasan, reciter

76. Niaz Al Kazi, poet and researcher

77. Ila Lipi, poet

78. Sohrab Sumon, poet

79. Dastagir Jahangir, journalist

80. Ringku Animikh, poet and visual artist

81. Ayanta Imrul, poet

82. Muhaiminul Islam, journalist

83. Shariful Islam Sarkar, lyricist and cultural organizer

84. Shamima Afroze Happy, poet and recitation artist

85. Al Amin Hossain, media worker

86. Bimal Saha, poet

87. Bakul Mohammad, poet

88. Elias Shahin, poet

89. Sonia Dewan Preeti, poet

90. Abdul Odud, rhyme writer

91. Chandan Sengupta, journalist

92. Sakib Hasan, journalist

93. Bappi Chowdhury, poet

94. Ali Akbar Babul, poet

95. Dipti Islam, essayist and poet

96. Nafe Nazrul, rhyme writer and publisher

97. Mehedi Hasan Soyeb, poet and journalist

98. Imran Porash, children’s literature writer

99. Shamima Sultana, poet

100. Khaled Sarafuddin, poet and children’s literature writer

101. Kamrul Islam, poet