Dhaka: Twenty-seven journalists and freelancers have been killed in Bangladesh while 1149 across the globe since 1992, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

It says the motive behind the killings of some of the victims have been confirmed while some of others remained unconfirmed.

The victims whose cases termed as ‘motive confirmed’ are Niloy Neel (Freelance, 7 August 2015), Ananta Bijoy Das (Freelance, 12 May 2015), Washiqur Rahman Babu (Freelance, 30 Mar 2015). Avijit Roy (Freelance, 26 Feb 2015), Sadrul Alam Nipul, Dainik Mathabhanga (21 May 2014, in Chuadanga), Ahmed Rajib Haider (Freelance, 15 Feb 2013), Jamal Uddin, Gramer Kagoj (15 June 2012, in Kashipur), Gautam Das, Samakal (17 Nov 2005), Sheikh Belaluddin, Sangram, Kamal Hossain, Ajker Kagoj, Humayun Kabir, Janmabhumi, Manik Saha, New Age, Shukur Hossain, Anirban, Harunur Rashid, Dainik Purbanchal, Nahar Ali, Anirban, Shamsur Rahman, Janakantha, Mir Illias Hossain, Dainik Bir Darpan, Saiful Alam Mukul, Daily Runner and Mohammad Quamruzzaman, Neel Sagar (19 Feb 1996, in Nilphamari).

The CPJ, a New York-based independent, nonprofit organisation that promotes press freedom worldwide, termed those 19 killings as ‘motive confirmed.’  

It also reported that eight Bangladeshi journalists were killed since 1992 but the motive behind their killing remained unconfirmed.

They are Nurul Islam Faruqi, Channel i Television, Shah Alam Sagar, Oporadh Domon, Meherun Runi, ATN Bangla, Golam Mustofa Sarowar, Maasranga Television, Diponkar Chakrabarty, Durjoy Bangla, Syed Farroque Ahmed, Pubali Barta, Ahsan Ali, Freelance and SM Alauddin, Ogrodoot.

CPJ investigates the death of every journalist to determine whether it is work-related one. It considers a case ‘confirmed’ only if they are reasonably certain that a journalist was murdered in direct reprisal for his or her work; was killed in crossfire during combat situations; or was killed while carrying out a dangerous assignment such as coverage of a street protest. Their database does not include journalists killed in accidents such as car or plane crashes.

When the motive is unclear, but it is possible that a journalist was killed because of his or her work, CPJ classifies the case as ‘unconfirmed’ and continues to investigate. It regularly reclassifies cases based on their ongoing research.

Meanwhile, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, made a statement on Monday.

‘Attacks on journalist are not only attacks on the victims, but also on freedom of expression and freedom of the media,’ she said.

Mogherini said media are the mirror of societies and ‘if they are free and critical, we are free and safe’, according a message received from EU Delegation to Bangladesh.

While they mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against journalists, reporters in many countries across the world face an increasing level of intimidation and violence.

‘The EU expects State authorities to fully abide by their international obligations to effectively, promptly and in an independent manner investigate such crimes and to ensure that both state and non-state perpetrators and instigators of such violence are brought to justice,’ Mogherini said.