PEN Bangladesh has extended its felicitations to the recently elected administration for garnering a substantial mandate to guide the nation during a crucial juncture in its democratic evolution.
In a declaration released on the 16th of February, Dr. Shamsad Mortuza, President of PEN Bangladesh, and Secretary Jahanara Parveen highlighted that the resounding public approval entails both legitimacy and accountability to rejuvenate democratic structures, rebuild public confidence, and recalibrate the balance between authority and constitutional entitlements.
As the local arm of PEN International, PEN Bangladesh urged the government to prioritize the reinstatement of civil liberties, especially the safeguarding of freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 39 of the Constitution.
The organization advocated for the immediate liberation of writers, journalists, and activists detained solely for peaceful expression; an impartial and transparent assessment of alleged violations of civil rights; the revision of oppressive legal clauses that criminalize speech using overly broad or ambiguous language; and the implementation of institutional mechanisms to safeguard media autonomy, artistic expression, and digital freedoms.
