New Delhi: South Asian journalist bodies along with human rights groups have strongly condemned the attack on Bangladeshi journalists and expressed solidarity with those detained and imprisoned without trial.“It is disturbing to hear that more than 100 journalists in Bangladesh have been detained and remain behind bars without trial. We demand their immediate and unconditional release,” a statement released by the journalist bodies said.The statement noted the vandalism and arson in Dhaka as well as the attack on the offices of prominent Bangladeshi papers like Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. “Violence, intimidation, attacks or harassment aimed at silencing the media are unacceptable and violate the right to media freedom, the constitutional right to freedom of expression, and rule of law,” the statement said.The signatories include the Southasia Peace Action Network (Sapan), the South Asia Media Defenders Network (SAMDEN), Sapan News, Rural Media Network Pakistan, and others.The statement noted a similar attack on press in Nepal after the September uprisings which led to the ouster of former Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.United Nations expert Irene Khan said that mob attacks on leading media outlets and cultural centres in Bangladesh are deeply alarming and must be investigated promptly and effectively by the government, and the perpetrators brought to justice without delay.“I strongly condemn the targeted killing of an inspiring leader as well as the orchestrated mob violence against independent journalists and artists which followed the announcement of his death,” said Khan, the special rapporteur on the freedom of expression and opinion.South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, said that it is deeply alarmed at the organised violence targeting progressive media and cultural institutes in Bangladesh.“SAHR calls upon the Interim Government of Bangladesh to take immediate action to restore law and order across the country, ensuring the safety of all people and the protection of property. SAHR also firmly appeals to the people of Bangladesh to exercise restraint and remain calm, and to refrain from yielding to any incitement to hatred or violence,” said bureau members P. Saravanamuttu and Sushil Pyakurel on behalf of SAHR in a statement.A joint statement issued by Access Now, Article 19, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS) and Tech Global Institute said that the targeting of politicians, activists, leading media houses, and cultural institutions, particularly at a time of heightened political sensitivity ahead of the 2026 national election, raises serious concerns about erosion of the rule of law and the shrinking space for free expression, civic discourse, and democratic participation.“The attack on Chhayanaut also signals a broader pattern of hostility toward cultural institutions and practitioners, revealing an increasingly unsafe environment for artistic expression and diversity of opinion. These developments point to a dangerous convergence of online and offline violence, coupled with long-standing patterns of coordinated harassment and state-sanctioned surveillance that have fostered a culture of impunity,” said the statement.“We are also deeply alarmed at the credible reports of public beating to death and burning of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka Upazila on the same night, following allegations that he made “derogatory remarks” on religion,” it added.