Primary document · United Nations experts' statement

UN experts on impunity for killings of journalists in Bangladesh

United Nations Special Procedures

The joint statement issued on the tenth anniversary of the murders of journalists Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, addressing delay, impunity and the wider safety of journalists in Bangladesh.

Document of record · OHCHR · 11 February 2022

Published 11 February 2022

Key extracts & findings

Record

Ten years without justice

Television journalists Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi were killed at their home on 11 February 2012. A decade later, the investigation had not been completed despite repeated court deadlines.

UN assessment

A pervasive culture of impunity

The experts described an appalling and pervasive culture of impunity for killings of journalists and human-rights defenders in Bangladesh.

Unresolved

Motive was not judicially determined

A connection to the couple's reporting has been widely alleged, but no court had determined the motive or responsibility. The statement called for prompt, thorough and independent investigations.

Extracts are summarised from the document of record, which is linked above. Where a passage is disputed, this newsroom will publish the correction alongside the extract.