No jouro jailed for expressing opinions during interim govt: Rizwana

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday (15 February) stated that no journalist was imprisoned for expressing opinions during the tenure of interim government.

Responding to a reporter at Bangladesh Secretariat, she said, “I am not aware of any journalist being arrested solely for criticism during our tenure. Any action taken against individuals was part of legal procedures based on available information.”

When asked about the names of two specific journalists, she clarified that they were not jailed for expressing views or social media posts. “The state machinery certainly had some specific information,” she added.

Rizwana emphasized that while many criticized the interim government, none were arrested for exercising their right to free expression.

On evaluating the performance of the interim administration, she said it would be inappropriate to label the 18-month tenure as either a success or failure. “I have tried my best. The people will evaluate,” she noted.

Regarding the departure of Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Fayez Ahmed Tayeb, Rizwana explained that he had been living abroad and returned home to complete his state responsibilities. 

“He has simply returned to his family after finishing his responsibilities. There is no scope to present it otherwise,” she said, adding that he had been away from his family in the Netherlands for one and a half years.

On the subject of future elections, Rizwana said it has been decided that national polls will be held under a non-partisan government. 

She added that the caretaker government system has been reinstated following a court directive, and subsequent elections will be conducted under that framework.

SH