Bangladesh: Rights groups condemn blogger's murder

DHAKA, Bangladesh

Free speech activists have condemned the murder of another Bangladeshi blogger in the capital Dhaka.

Washiqur Rahman, 27, who was known for his secular views, was hacked to death by three men using machetes Monday. Rahman reportedly wrote blog posts against religious extremism. His death sparked calls Tuesday for the Bangladeshi government to protect free speech.  

The latest attack came only a month after another blogger, Avijit Roy, an atheist, was killed in Dhaka in a similar manner.

“All killings must be condemned, but to be killed for exercising one’s freedom of expression is not just an attack against the individual, but also the state," Tahmina Rahman, the Bangladesh and South Asia director for London-based freedom of speech group Article 19, said.

"It is the primary responsibility of the state to protect journalists, bloggers and online activists from acts of violence perpetrated against them,” she said.

An impromptu demonstration was also organized in Dhaka Monday after reports of Rahman's murder emerged.

Two men were arrested after bystanders caught them trying to flee the scene. According to police, the suspects admitted that they targeted Rahman for his blog posts.

Human rights watchdog Amnesty International also criticized a lack of prosecutions after attacks on bloggers. Rahman's murder was the third time a blogger had been killed since 2013 and numerous others have been threatened or attacked.

"The killing of Washiqur Rahman today is another clear example of the Bangladeshi government’s utter failure to ensure the safety of those at risk. How many more bloggers will have to be attacked before action is taken?” Amnesty International’s Bangladesh Researcher Abbas Faiz said.