Bangladesh
Rozina Islam Arrest Government doesn't want distance with journalists: Law Minister
Dhaka, May 19: Law Minister Ansul Huq has said that the government doesn't want any distance between itself and the journalists while speaking about the arrest of senior Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam. Huq said the matter is being looked at with sympathy and Islam will get justice.
He told reporters after a meeting with journalist leaders at his residence in the capital's Gulshan-2 on Tuesday (May 18th) night.
Speaking on behalf of the journalists, Farida Yasmin, President of the National Press Club, said, "Rozina Islam is an honest investigative journalist. She is a victim of physical and mental torture. She has been deliberately framed. She did not go there for personal gain. Journalists work for the country, the people and democracy. So Rozina must be released quickly."
Rejecting the Health Ministry's inquiry into the incident, Farida Yasmin said, "We have told the Law Minister that our allegations against the Health Ministry do not have the opportunity to be investigated impartially by their officials. The incident must be investigated impartially. Action must be taken against those involved."
Earlier, the journalists started a meeting with Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Advocate Anisul Huq at his residence at around 9 pm. They discussed the release of Rozina with the law minister. Journalist leaders sought the minister's intervention for the speedy release of Rozina Islam. They demanded justice for the sick Rozina as well as those involved.
President of the National Press Club Farida Yasmin, General Secretary Ilias Khan, President of the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum Tapan Biswas, Joint Secretary of the Press Club Mainul Alam and others took part in the meeting.
