The Bangladesh Professional Journalists Forum (BPJF) has demanded swift trials in the killings of 43 journalists, including Sagar-Runi, Asaduzzaman Tuhin, Golam Rabbani Nadim and Shelu Akand. The group also protested alleged torture, attacks and harassment of journalists across Bangladesh. The demands were made at a human chain outside the National Press Club on Saturday.

Former Dhaka Union of Journalists general secretary Jahangir Alam Pradhan called on the government to prioritize journalists’ safety. He urged action against those who obstruct journalists from carrying out professional duties and called for government initiatives to create a safe working environment. Participants observed a minute of silence in memory of slain journalists.

Dhaka Sub-Editors Council general secretary Jawhar Iqbal Khan said a longstanding culture of impunity in cases involving killings, torture and attacks on journalists poses a major threat to media freedom and democratic values. He said the failure to complete trials in many high-profile killings over the years was encouraging offenders. BPJF central committee president Kazi Shariful Islam Shakil chaired the event, while general secretary Md Roman Akand moderated it.