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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 79631, member: 636"] A UN rights expert issued a sharp warning about mob violence against media and cultural groups in Bangladesh. Irene Khan, the UN special rapporteur on free expression, said the attacks on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo newspapers, plus the Chhayanaut cultural center, happened for a reason. She blamed the country's interim government for not stopping a culture of impunity. She also mentioned the physical harassment of New Age editor Nurul Kabir. These incidents followed the death of political figure Sharif Osman Hadi from gunshot wounds after nationwide protests. Khan stated these mob actions are dangerous, especially with elections coming. She argued that turning public anger against journalists and artists will scare people away from speaking freely. She pointed to a pattern over the past year where expression has been pressured by both official and unofficial groups. Hundreds of journalists have been arrested since last August on what she called dubious, politically motivated charges, with some killed. She said the current government has let attacks and threats become normal without punishing anyone. The UN expert connected online hate speech and smear campaigns to real-world violence. She noted that when no one in authority or on social media platforms stops these dangerous words, physical attacks follow. Khan called for prompt and impartial investigations into both the killing of Osman Hadi and the raids on media offices. She pushed the government to set up actual protection for civil society and journalists before the vote. Upholding rights to free expression and peaceful assembly is essential for safe elections, she said, adding she is in talks with the government on the matter. [/QUOTE]

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