Staff inside the building were trapped.
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, coordinated attacks targeted leading Bangladeshi media outlets and cultural institutions, shocking journalists and the public alike.
Mobs vandalised and set fire to the Prothom Alo building in Karwan Bazar before moving on to The Daily Star office in Farmgate.
Staff inside the building were trapped as firefighters and security personnel intervened to evacuate them to safety.
Both newspapers suspended their Friday print and online editions due to the scale of destruction and ongoing security threats.
New Age Editor and Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir was physically harassed and verbally abused by protesters near the premises.
The violence followed the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inqilab Moncho, a socio-political platform formed after the July 2024 Revolution.
Hadi had been a prominent leader in the uprising that toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
The attacks extended beyond media institutions, with Chhayanaut, one of Bangladesh’s most respected cultural organisations, also targeted by violent mobs.
The assault on cultural spaces reflects an alarming pattern of hostility toward artists, cultural activists, and spaces for civic engagement nationwide.
Bangladeshi journalists and cultural figures have faced threats, harassment, and physical attacks in recent years.
Political, religious, and ideological extremist groups have been implicated in repeated harassment and violence against media and cultural workers.
Observers have warned that the interim government’s failure to prevent or respond effectively demonstrates a severe dereliction of duty.
Legal protections under the Constitution and international instruments, including the ICCPR, mandate the state to safeguard freedom of expression and personal security.
ARTICLE 19 emphasised that the attacks flagrantly violate both national law and international human rights obligations, undermining democratic accountability.
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The organisation called for immediate measures, including robust protection for journalists, media houses, cultural institutions, and cultural workers nationwide.
Authorities are being urged to deploy adequate security to prevent further violence.
Many believe that failure to act decisively could entrench impunity, worsen the crisis, and compromise the electoral environment ahead of the 2026 national elections.
Journalists, media professionals, and cultural institutes continue to face a dangerously unsafe environment as these attacks highlight systemic vulnerabilities.
ARTICLE 19 expressed solidarity with Bangladesh’s media and cultural community, urging credible steps to restore safety and uphold constitutional rights.
The organisation stressed that protecting freedom of expression and cultural life is essential for maintaining democratic values and civic discourse in Bangladesh.
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