Is journalism and fair criticism a crime? If you are in Bangladesh, then yes! Bangladesh based British journalist David Bergman is convicted of contempt for questioning the number of 1971 deaths and criticising the Tribunal (ICT-BD). It is proven once again that Bangladeshi courts do not even tolerate fair criticism and more than willing to punish anyone who is against governments/Awami Leagues version of the truth about 1971. Any sane person who is familiar with his writings would know that Bergman is no fan of Jamaat, yet the allegation against him is that he is working for them. They could not have made it funnier even if they tried! Though Bergman often points out Tribunals procedural flaws, he largely supports the process and doesnt question the black law (ICTA 1973) that is governing the Tribunal. So why persecute Bergman? 1. Bergman is the only journalist who writes in details about the Tribunals cases in English language. He has more international/English speaking readers than anyone in Bangladesh and the government is worried that international public opinion regarding the farcical political trials in Bangladesh are very much dependent on Bergmans writings. 2. Apart from international readership, Bergman also has good connections. His writings have appeared in The Economist, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Hindustan Times, and many other prominent places. International media often presents him as an expert on the Bangladesh Tribunals and human rights groups consider him a credible source. All these are problematic for the government since they are selling a different story. Government thinks its Bergmans fault that nobody is buying their lies. 3. After being sued for contempt of the court, Bergman is on back-foot and has already toned down his articles. Now the government thinks if he can be punished, even in the form of a token imprisonment, he will either remain silent or at least less critical. 4. Bergman also writes on issues regarding government corruption and abuse of power. This conviction came when he was writing a series of reports in the New Age, Dhaka on the involvement of the countrys security forces in the abduction and disappearance of 19 opposition activists before disputed elections held in January of this year. 5. If they can make an example of Bergman then no other foreign journalists/human rights activists would dare to go through the troubles just because some opposition politicians of a third world country are being hanged through an unfair process. I say this is great! Not because Bergman is being punished, but because cases like these further exposes the political mind-set and corruption of the judges. This is indeed a disgrace, but they have the audacity to demand respect! Now, that is funny!
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 15:09:33 +0000
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