In a powerful act of solidarity, journalists across Bangladesh staged a nationwide “Silent Human Chain” on Friday, to protest the ongoing killings of journalists in Gaza.
The peaceful demonstration sought to highlight the risks faced by media professionals working in conflict zones, particularly those reporting on the war-torn Gaza Strip.
From 4pm, journalists in cities including Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Barisal stood in solidarity for 30 minutes, holding placards with messages such as “Journalism is not a crime,” “Journalists are not targets,” and “Stop killing journalists.”
The event marked a collective stand against the repeated targeting of journalists in Gaza, where the death toll has neared 200 over the past two years due to military operations.
In Dhaka, the protest took place near the Central Shaheed Minar, a national landmark dedicated to the memory of language martyrs. The event concluded with a candlelight vigil in honor of fallen journalists, reads a press release.
Similar demonstrations were held simultaneously in other major cities, amplifying the message of solidarity.
The assembled journalists issued a united call for justice, “The Israeli armed forces must cease targeting journalists in Gaza. Journalists are civilians performing their professional duties in conflict zones and should not be victims.”
The protest also mourned the loss of at least five journalists killed during an Israeli airstrike on August 25 in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Participants stood in silence to honor their memory.
This show of unity reaffirmed Bangladesh’s journalist community’s commitment to press freedom and underscored the urgent need for international action to protect journalists working in dangerous environments.