Out of Fear of Attacks, Many Media Outlets Cannot Publish News: Manzill Murshid

Senior Advocate Manzill Murshid has stated that the rule of law is under threat in Bangladesh, citing the unprecedented incident of a Chief Justice being placed on remand as an alarming example. “If you don’t like a judge’s verdict, can you handcuff him and send the Chief Justice to jail? The law doesn’t allow this anywhere. But it has happened in our country,” he remarked during a recent speech.

Murshid emphasised that the remand of a former Chief Justice was effectively a form of judicial strangulation. “It sends a threatening message to the judiciary: be careful, or the same could happen to you in future,” he said.

He added that hundreds of lawyers are now unable to appear in court due to fear and intimidation. “Lawyers are in hiding. I myself am a lawyer. If I cannot be in court, how can I protect my client? How can I speak on their behalf? That right no longer exists. Lawyers are being forced into hiding. This is a violation of human rights.”

Murshid also expressed serious concern over press freedom, stating that most journalists are unable to speak freely.

“Those working in the field may gather and submit reports,” he said, “but media houses are unable to publish many of them. If they try, their offices may be attacked in the evening. Cows may be slaughtered outside their premises as a form of intimidation. Editors may be beaten or arrested in fabricated murder cases.”

He described the situation as dire for both the judiciary and the media, stressing that fear and suppression have deeply compromised democratic institutions and fundamental rights in the country.