Archive for February, 2008

Bangladesh press groans under emergency rule

[Saleem Samad, Canada]

Press freedom has always been a far cry in Bangladesh. Despite 15 years of rule under so-called democratically elected governments of Khaleda Zia and Shiekh Hasina. Both of them did not enough to punish the perpetrators of the press. Thus the heads of state along with other elected leaders were dubbed by New York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) as “democra-tators”.

Bangladesh, a year under de facto military rule has kept themselves in power by exercising emergency rule and trimmed the constitution to fit thyself.

Therefore, press watchdogs and human rights group does not expect the military installed interim government will attempt to free the press, so long as emergency rule exist.

Paris based press watchdog Reporter Sans Frontieres (RSF) has published their 2008 annual document, and Bangladesh press freedom report described as appalling.

“A state of emergency was declared on 11 January and the country’s TV and radio were ordered to stop broadcasting their news programmes for two days. When the government faced student demonstrations at the end of August, it banned stations from broadcasting talk shows and political programmes. Army intelligence services officers summoned editorial heads and threatened them with draconian criminal proceeding, including under Article 5 of the State of Emergency Regulations. CSB News and Ekushey TV were ordered by the Press Information Department not to broadcast “provocative” reports and commentaries.”

Blanket censorship was imposed by the military backed government caused immense damage to independent newspapers, private radio and television channels. The credibility of news sources published by newspapers and broadcast were questioned. Sources of most news were attributed to state security agents for feeding the media, as part of misinformation campaign.

The private television channels took much of the brunt’s of the emergency. Couple of TV channels blacked out on the screen, after their owners were arrested for alleged corruption, evading taxes, and money laundering. While CSB channel in October 2007 was knocked out of the air for improper registration and having forged documents.

In addition the private channels were barred from broadcast of the popular talk shows live. The authorities imposed so-called media guideline, which the channels bosses were asked to swallow, as they have seen fates of other TV channels.

Reporter Without Border (RSF) in a summary on Bangladesh that there is…

“a drop in the number of physical assaults and death threats was eclipsed by dozens of cases of arrests, maltreatment and censorship committed by the army against independent journalists. The interim government and the military put an end to political disorder but at the price of serious violations of press freedom.”

Apparently, there is no incident of murder of journalist in 2007, but the interim government did not take any steps to ensure justice to nearly a dozen journalists silenced for their pen in the last 15 years. Rather the families of the deceased journalists were so frustrated that they have given up all hopes to get any justice from the justice system.

“There was a sharp decrease in the number of journalists physically attacked or receiving death threats from political militants and criminals. On the other hand, arrests increased markedly, with almost 40 cases in 2007. And the army, the real power in the country, committed serious press freedom violations aimed at silencing independent journalists.”

The worst scenario was arbitrary detention and torture of journalists in judicial custody by dreaded state security agency DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence) and the elite anti-crime squad RAB (Rapid Action Battalion).

At least two journalists have been detained and tortured by DGFI and another by RAB. In both cases the journalists also worked for a rights group and international media. Obviously the authorities are nervous with any journalists who have extra hats. One as defender of human rights and another stringer for international press. The state security agencies know only one solution – imbibe a sense of fear by intimidation and repression, which the chiefs does not understand it backfires and of course stains the effort of the reform seeking government.

Tasneem Khalil, a journalist with the independent English newspaper The Daily Star had also worked as correspondent with the influential TV station CNN. His crime was investigating extra-judicial killing of suspects and alleged criminals by elite RAB. He was physically tortured and intimidated. He recounted his ordeal in DGFI secret cell which has been published by New York based Human Rights Watch in early February.

Whereas Jahangir Alam Akash, correspondent of pro-secular newspaper Dainik Sangbad based in Rajshahi, northern town and also correspondent of German radio Deutsch Welle. He was detained for alleged extortion, which has yet to be proved in any competent court of law.

He also investigated an extra-judicial killing of a student leader by elite RAB, which prompted the anti-crime squad officer (of Bangladesh Army), was arrested by army officers on 24 October.

“He was released on bail on 19 November and spoke about the hell he had lived through at an army camp. ‘Officers and soldiers tortured me for several hours: electric shocks, blows to my legs. I couldn’t walk for a week,’ he said.”

(more…)

Marseille slip through on aggregate

Aleksandr Pavlenko and Roman Pavlyuchenko scored, as Spartak Moskva won 2-0 at home against Marseille,and were yet knocked out of the competiotion as Marseille edge through with 2-3 on aggregate.

The Russian side was looking forward to capitalize on Marseille’s 3-0 loss in the Ligue 1 fixture last week. Marseille were humbled in Moscow when Pavlenko scored in the 39th minute and Pavlyuchenko scoring with just five minutes remaining, but Marseille hung on to their 3-0 win on the 1st leg to scrape through to the next round.

Marseille have been excellent form this year as they won consecutive matches in Ligue 1 to push themselves from the bottom half of the table to the top half. They were beaming with confidence and it showed as they started the game off in great attacking fashion. Even when midfielder Charles Kaboré was injured it didn’t stop them to create a host of chances. Matthieu Valbuena led the way for the French side as he came awefully close to scoring when his shot hit the post with the goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa nowhere near the ball.

Shortly afterwards Valbuena had another with his shot over the bar and the next time forcing a save from the keeper. Cisse came very close to scoring for Marseille as his shot was just wide in the 19th minute. Spartak came alive only towards the end of the half when Welliton made Mandanda work for the 1st time, followed by a goal from Pavlenko to put them 1-0 ahead before half-time. Confusion was caused in Marseille’s defence from a cross and Pavlenko took full advantage volleying the ball in the top corner.

In the second half Spartak started where they left off dominating possession and looking for reducing their deficit of goals on aggregate, but failed to unrest Mandanda. With just 5 minutes to go Marseille had to cope with a strenuous finish to the game as Pavlyuchenko scored from close range giving his side a chance to draw level on aggregate, in the end it was not to be.

[By: Shahnawaz Alam]

Photo: Getty Images

How the Bangladesh military abuses Its power under the state of emergency

Photo: Tortured Journalist Tasneem Khalil

Update: Tasneem Khalil’s interview by Arafatul Islam of DW-WORLD is added.

[An E-Bangladesh commentary.]

Human Rights Watch, the international Human rights watchdog that conducts research and advocacy on human rights published today an exclusive report on tortures in Bangladesh. This report presents the testimony of Tasneem Khalil, a Bangladeshi journalist and the representative of CNN and Human Rights Watch in Bangladesh, recounting his torture at the hands of Bangladesh’s military intelligence agency, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

Human Rights Watch says:

“To our knowledge, this is the most detailed public account of a case of torture in Bangladesh available anywhere. It demonstrates the nature of ongoing state-sponsored violence in Bangladesh, including the torture of critics of the current government.
What happened to Tasneem Khalil – which, sadly, is not uncommon – makes clear that when it comes to human rights a critical part of what was promised is not being fulfilled. After one year, the state of emergency not only remains in place but is being used to limit political party activity and restrict freedom of expression and assembly, with torture a frequent consequence for those who do not toe the line and end up in the custody of the security services.

Increased domestic and international pressure to end such abuses cannot await elections or formation of a new government. The fundamental rights set out in the Constitution should be immediately restored and respected. Ending illegal arrests and torture should not await an election. These should be a top priority of the interim government. Those members of the security forces who have been responsible for such egregious human rights violations should be brought to justice.”

Read the horrid accounts of abuses against Tasneem Khalil here . Read how he was terrorized and maligned after his release due to international pressure only to find recluse in exile. You can also download the full report (pdf format) available in the Human Rights Watch Website.

Premier League proposal in doubt

The Football Association has put a halt on the Premier Leagues plans to play their games overseas calling it unsustainable. The FA recently had a meeting on Thursday to further discuss the plan for the “39th game” of the Premier League. Reports suggest that a great amount of changes are needed in this plan for this game to win approval.

Lord Treisman, the FA chairman, said “At the moment we have not seen a sustainable plan to which we can agree. If the Premier League has things it wants to say about changes or new variants, well then they will come forward. But personally, I would prefer it happened sooner rather than later, because I don’t want this to drift on particularly as we are to launch our World Cup bid (for 2018).

“In general I think uncertainty is not very helpful if it goes on for any length of time, but that is a matter for them. The whole of the process, I think, certainly does require some fresh thinking and some really substantive answers to the questions posed.”

[By: Shahnawaz Alam]

Photo: Techdigest.tv

Milan Frustrate Arsenal

The match between Arsenal FC and AC Milan at the Emirates stadium in North London ended in a goalless draw making it evenly balanced as they face each other again at the San Siro in Milan in a fortnight’s time. Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger called this 1st round knock out round the “ultimate test” as his young team plays against the European Champions.

Zeljko Kalac showed his true class as he kept the clean sheet from the attacks engineered by the Gunners, although he must feel blessed as Adebayor’s header in the closing moments hit the top post. The introduction of Pato gave Milan a new dimension of attacking football. He was quick to be involved in the assault as he forced a corner in the 8th minute. Kolo Toure blocked the shot from Pato giving away a corner, but injuring himself in the process. The old boys Jens Lehmann, 38, and Paulo Maldini, 39, showed that there is still a lot to offer as Maldini’s header from the corner was on target before Lehmann springed to action to tip it away.

Even after the departure of Toure, Arsene Wenger pressed his side forward as they bombarded their attacks in the early stages. Despite plenty of possession the chances created were very few as the the ball stayed mostly near the midfield. Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gatusso kept Fabregas in check making Arsenal feel their presence through harsh tackles. In the early stages of the game, Fabregas played a through pass to the prolific young striker Adebayor who failed to work Kalac by shooting over the bar. Kalac’s first real save for Milan was when Flamini went for a low drive and he was quick to punch it away.

Flamini kept Kaka pretty quiet before he pressed forward and forced another save by Kalac and getting a reaction of cheers and whistles from the crowd. But just before that the greatest amount of went to Philippe Senderos as he blocked Pato who ran into the box with blazing speed and then a crunching challenge to stop Kaka.

Five minutes into the second half and another defender was injured. This time it was Alessandro Nesta for Milan, who was replaced by Marek Jankulovski. Kakha Kaladze gave Milan a horrific scare as he almost headed into his own net from a corner. Soon within a few more minutes to follow Emmanuel Eboue curled his effort just centimeters wide. The hosts were cut short of cheering for the first goal as Adebayor found the net just before he was ruled off-side.

Milan struggled to get out of their own half as Arsenal played their possessive football leaving Kaka and Pato completely isolated up front for Milan. Even after that they were threatening Arsenal with having his shot just wide on the 69th minute and Pato causing an adrenaline rush among the Gunners defenders with his efforts. The Hero of the game was Milan’s Goalkeeper Kalac, saving Fabregas’ low shot on the 75th minute and Adebayor’s last minute header hot the post and out.

[By: Shahnawaz Alam]

Photo: www.Uefa.com