SS Report
Dhaka, December 19, 2025:
Mobs in Bangladesh attacked the offices of two leading newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, on December 19, following the killing of election candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, raising fresh concerns about political violence and press freedom ahead of national elections.
Osman Hadi, a youth leader who rose to prominence during the 2024 student-led movement that ended years of authoritarian rule, was killed earlier the same day. His death triggered unrest in several areas, with groups targeting media outlets amid heightened political tensions.
Bangladesh is currently navigating a fragile transition as it seeks to restore democratic institutions and respect for human rights after the fall of the former government. The interim administration has announced national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026, but ongoing violence and weak enforcement of the rule of law are threatening civic space.
Human Rights Watch condemned both the killing and the attacks on the media. Meenakshi Ganguly, the organization’s deputy Asia director, described the assassination as a “terrible act” and urged authorities to take immediate steps to prevent mob violence and ensure conditions for free, fair, and participatory elections. She warned that attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star represent a serious assault on freedom of expression.
Rights groups have also expressed concern over incitement to violence by political actors, including on social media, which they say is placing journalists, activists, and cultural figures at increasing risk during the election period.
