PEC condemns murder of Journalist, attacks on Bangladesh newspapers
Babushahi Bureau
Geneva (Switzerland), December 21, 2025: Expressing serious concern over the volatile situation in Bangladesh following the murder of a young political leader, the global media safety and rights body Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has urged the caretaker government in Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of the media fraternity across the South Asian nation.
Condemning the incidents in which digital media editor Imdadul Haque Milon (45) was killed and an unruly mob attacked the offices of two leading newspapers — Prothom Alo and The Daily Star — in the capital on Thursday night, PEC also slammed the physical assault on New Age editor Nurul Kabir, who, along with other media professionals, attempted to stop the vandals.
Milon, who worked for the online news portal Bartaman Somoy, was targeted by four armed assailants riding motorcycles at Shalua Market on the evening of December 18.
Critically injured, Milon was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where the Shalua Press Club office-bearer was declared brought dead by the attending doctors.
He is the 163rd journalist victim globally and the fifth casualty in Bangladesh this year, following the deaths of Assaduzzaman Tuhin, Bibhuranjan Sarkar, Wahed-uz-Zaman Bulu, and Khandahar Shah Alam.
“We condemn the shooting of journalist Imdadul Haque Milon. Moreover, the midnight vandalism and arson attacks on Dhaka-based prominent Bengali daily Prothom Alo and acclaimed English newspaper The Daily Star, when many employees — including journalists — were still working, are horrifying and deserve the strongest condemnation,” said Blaise Lempen, President of PEC (pressemblem.ch).
He added that the attacks should be termed an assault on press freedom, which must be safeguarded by the government as the Muslim-majority nation prepares for general elections scheduled for February 12, 2026. Both newspapers were unable to publish their Friday editions due to the attacks.
PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria stated that unprecedented violence erupted in the country soon after interim government chief Professor Muhammad Yunus confirmed the death of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore, where he had been airlifted for advanced treatment following a bullet injury sustained in Dhaka.
Hadi had come into public prominence during last year’s student-led mass uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, forcing the Awami League leader to flee to neighbouring India.
Meanwhile, Prof Yunus reportedly spoke to the editors of the affected newspapers and assured them of full support and security assistance.