I condemn the killing of Pradiq Kumar Bhowmik and call for a thorough investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Populations rely upon journalists to provide vital information during events of public interest. I call on the authorities to hold those responsible to account,
Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General
Pradiq Kumar Bhowmik was a correspondent for the local newspaper Daily Khoborpatra. He was reportedly attacked alongside three other people by unknown assailants at the Rayganj Press Club, and later died from his injuries. He is the fifth journalist killed in Bangladesh since the beginning of July.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. UNESCO has previously shone a light on the increasing risks to the safety of journalists covering protests in two Issue Briefs in 2020 and in 2021.
