Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday demanded the immediate resale of Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam from jail as he thinks she was implicated in a ‘false case’ by bureaucrats.
“Where’s the barrier to granting bail to Rozina when the entire journalist community, political parties, human rights organisations and eminent citizens of the country are demanding her release?” he said.
Dr Kamal said, “We demand that Rozina be freed immediately and we all are her guarantors.”
Also read: Don’t judge Rozina issue emotionally: Info Minister to journalists
He made the remarks in a written statement at a civic rally in front of the National Museum in the city’s Shahbagh area demanding the release of Rozina and annulment of the Official Secrets Act and the Digital Security Act.
Gonoforum Joint general secretary Mostaq Ahmed read out the statement at the rally in favour of Dr Kamal.
Dr Kamal said Rozina went to the Secretariat on May 17 to perform her professional responsibility.
Also read: Rozina to get fair judgement: FM tells CNN
As she published reports on massive corruption in the health ministry, the Gonoforum President said bureaucrats harassed her for five hours and handed her over to police by implicating her in a ‘false’ case.
“It’s our question as to why journalist Rozina was confined to a room at the Secretariat till 8pm,” he said.
Dr Kamal also demanded the government repeal the Official Secrets Act and Digital Security Act and ensure press freedom.
Also read: Order on journalist Rozina Islam’s bail Sunday
He urged all to get united to force the government to revoke all the ‘black’ laws and ‘restore’ people’s voting rights.
Speaking at the rally, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury voiced anger as a Dhaka court did not pass its order on a bail petition of Rozina in a bailable case on Thursday.
He urged the journalists to get united putting behind their divisions to establish their rights and ensure press freedom.
Also read: Drop all "oppressive charges" against Rozina: HRW
Nagroik Oikay convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Dhaka University professor Asif Nazrul, chief coordinator of Ganosanghati Andolon Zonayed Saki, noted photographer Shahidul Alam and former Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) vice president Nurul Haque Nur, among others, spoke at the programme.