We will ensure justice for Rozina Islam: Information Minister
She has been sued by the health ministry under the Official Secrets Act
Information Minister Hassan Mahmud has assured there will be justice for journalist Rozina Islam, who was arrested in a case filed under the Official Secrets Act.
"If there is any fault of the health ministry here, it will also be investigated," the minister said, at the second phase of cheque distribution to the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust (BJWT) in Chattogram.
Chattogram Union of Journalists (CUJ) President, Mohammad Ali, presided over the function organised by CUJ at the Bangabandhu Hall of Chattogram Press Club on Wednesday.
The minister said the "Information Commission has been formed to ensure free flow of information in Bangladesh. Anyone can ask the government for any information through the commission. He/she will only not get classified information. Stealing any secret document is unfair. "
Rozina Islam must get justice in the case filed by the health ministry, hereiterated.
Referring to the five-hour detention of Rozina Islam, the minister said, "The health ministry officials said they did not detain her for five hours. They handed her over to the police within an hour. The police will find out the reason for the delay."
Urging the journalists not to get emotional, Hassan Mahmud said, "Since a case was filed, we are looking into the matter soshe gets justice. Have confidence in the government. The Prime Minister and I are determined to uphold the dignity and honour of journalists."
Rozina Islam has been sued by the health ministry under the Official Secrets Act of 1923 on the charge of "taking a snapshot of a health ministry document."
Zafar Wazed, managing director of Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust, was at the function as special guest.
Chattogram Press Club president Ali Abbas, vice president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Riaz Haider Chowdhury, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) president Quddus Afrad, Chattogram Press Club general secretary Chowdhury Farid, and CUJ vice president Anindya Titu spoke on the occasion.
