Zahed Ur Rahman, prime minister's adviser on information and broadcasting, has said that filing specific murder cases against journalists arrested over the July uprising was a wrong move.
However, he personally believes that some of the arrested journalists are partially responsible for crimes against humanity, which he considers a far graver offence than a murder charge.
The PM’s adviser said this in response to questions from reporters during a weekly press briefing at the Secretariat's Press Information Department (PID) today. He highlighted the recent initiatives taken by several ministries and departments. Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed was also present at the briefing.
The adviser, who holds the rank of a state minister, explained that the journalists are currently in custody for specific murder cases rather than genocide. He noted that what occurred in July were crimes against humanity -- a systematic pattern Sheikh Hasina had established long ago through actions like enforced disappearances.
Zahed emphasised that for some of these individuals, the gravity of their actions exceeds a standard murder case, raising the question of their accountability for crimes against humanity. He clarified that this reflects his personal stance on the matter.
Drawing a historical example, Zahed mentioned that during the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials following World War II, those who created narratives that facilitated killings were also brought to justice.
Zahed added that even before taking office, he had expressed that the specific cases under which these journalists were arrested were incorrect.
Regarding journalists facing similar charges who have not yet been arrested, he assured that the government would take appropriate measures.
He also mentioned that the prime minister has assured the leaders of Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh that the government would do as much as possible in collaboration with the judiciary, as the government cannot unilaterally interfere in a judicial process.