The United Nations, the European Union and the United States have denounced the latest attacks on publishers and bloggers in the country.Condemning the killing of publisher Faisal Arefin Dipon and the continued violence against the on-line community, the United Nations has said the perpetrators must be brought to justice.The UN, in a statement from its Bangladesh office on Saturday night, said this murder and the violent assaults on Ahmedur Rashid Tutul, Tariq Rahim, and Ranadipan Basu are unacceptable as the attacks were aimed at intimidating and restricting the rights of individuals to express themselves freely.UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert D Watkins said these killings must be condemned at all levels of political and religious leadership to prevent further attacks.”The perpetrators must also be brought to justice and the authorities need to provide immediate protection to citizens thought to be at risk,” he added.Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon has deplored the latest attacks against freedom of expression in Bangladesh.He expressed his condolences to the family of late Faisal Arefin Dipan and his solidarity to injured publisher Ahmedur Rashid Tutul, writer Ranapidam Basu and blogger Tarek Rahim.”These tragic circumstances call for the government to further ensure that freedom of expression and belief are respected,” he said in a statement on Saturday night.Ambassador Mayaudon said he is confident that prompt action by law enforcement agencies and unity of the people of Bangladesh will deter the fanatics from committing further crimes.Denouncing the ‘cowardly attacks’ on publishers and bloggers the United States said these acts underscore the importance of joint efforts to counter violent extremism.”Like the murders of Niloy Chakrabarti, Washikur Rahman, Ananta Bijoy Das, and Avijit Roy earlier this year, these heinous acts underscore the importance of our governments’ joint efforts to counter violent extremism,” the US embassy in Dhaka said in a statement. The Embassy said their thoughts are with their families, friends, and the Bangladeshi people. “We stand with Bangladeshis who reject these vicious acts and work to protect freedom of expression,” said the statement.
