Journalist Nurul Kabir was harassed and subject to an intrusive interrogation by immigration officials at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 18 and November 22. Credit: X

Prominent journalist and New Age editor Nurul Kabir was harassed twice by immigration officers at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 18 and November 22. Kabir says he was subjected to an intrusive interrogation, had his passport and documents confiscated until moments before his flight, and had his documents photographed in a breach of privacy while travelling to and from Colombo to attend the 2024 Sri Lanka Asia Media Forum. In a Facebook post, Kabir reported that he had faced harassment for his work while travelling for years.

The Special Branch (SB) of Bangladesh Police issued a press release on November 24, claiming the incident occurred due to a ‘blocked list’ created during the government of deposed President Sheikh Hasina. Deputy Press Secretary Abdul Kalama Azad claimed the list reportedly contained thousands of names used to target political figures, dissidents, journalists and human rights activists from travelling abroad.

A junior immigration officer involved in the incident has reportedly faced disciplinary action, with Kabir claiming the junior officer did not harass the journalist, saying “scapegoating a junior officer from the senior lot”. Kabir instead asks for authorities to investigate senior officials involved in the collation of the ‘blocked list’ during the autocratic regime.

In a separate incident, Independent TV correspondent Ziaul Haq and cameraperson Sharif Khan were assaulted while reporting on corruption in on November 21. Haq says unidentified miscreants had confined the journalist and cameraperson for half an hour before police arrived at the scene.

The BMSF said: “BMSF stands in solidarity with Ziaul Haq, Sharif Khan, and all Bengali journalists who courageously uphold the truth amidst ongoing violence in the country. We demand this attack be treated as violating the freedom of the press and addressed with the seriousness it deserves. We urge authorities to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into this incident and promptly bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The IFJ said:“The recent harassment on Nurul Kabir, as well as reports of an assault on Ziaul Haq and Sharif Khan, highlight the clear dangers facing journalists in Bangladesh. We call on the interim government to prioritise the safety of journalists and protect independent media voices during this crucial time of democratic transition.”