Five organisations ready to provide legal support to journalist Rozina
They demanded that the authority withdraw the case against Rozina, release her immediately, and bring those involved in her harassment to justice
Five human rights organisations are ready to provide necessary legal assistance to Prothom Alo's investigative journalist Rozina Islam.
In a press conference on Wednesday, the organisations condemned the physical and mental harassment suffered by Rozina during her detention at the Secretariat for a lengthy period of time.
They also demanded that the authority withdraw the case against Rozina, release her immediately, and bring those involved in her harassment to justice.
The protesting organisations are Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association, Naripokkho, Ain o Salish Kendra, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust, and Manusher Jonno Foundation.
At the conference, they said, "Men along with women harassed Rozina during her detention at the Secretariat. Such an incident falls under sexual harassment and criminal offense. We will provide necessary support if it is needed."
"Detaining her was unconstitutional. Detaining a journalist, especially a female one is condemnable. Rozina had fallen ill during her detention because she did not get any medical assistance. Later, she was sent to jail. This is inhumane," said the human rights organisations.
Ain o Salish Kendra Senior Deputy Director Nina Goswami, Naripokkho Convener Tamanna Khan, Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association's Advocate Salma Ali, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust's Barrister Sara Hossain and Barrister Sharmin Akhter spoke at the press conference.
Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam delivered the welcome speech while its Director Rina Roy coordinated the press conference. Shahana Huda presented the protest script.
Barrister Sara Hossain said the legal organisations can conduct the case after fact-finding. Nina Goswami said nobody has the right to harass a journalist in this way.
Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam said, "Rozina has reached today's position in journalism after a tough fight but she was imprisoned on false accusation of theft. We will also have to think of the trauma her young child is going through."
