Condemning the killing of publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan and the continued violence against the on-line community the United Nations has said the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

The UN, in a statement from Bangladesh office on Saturday night, said this murder and the violent assaults on Ahmedur Rashid Tutul, Tariq Rahim, and Ranadipan Basu are unacceptable attacks aimed to intimidate and restrict the right of individuals to express themselves freely.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Robert D Watkins, said these killings must be condemned at all levels of political and religious leadership in order to prevent further attacks.

"The perpetrators must also be brought to justice and the authorities need to provide immediate protection to citizens thought to be at risk,'' he added.

UNB/NS