The Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) yesterday expressed grave concern at the prime minister's warning of actions against The Daily Star for publishing the picture of a poster of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, a banned militant organisation.

The PM's remarks will seriously affect the freedom of mass media, said a statement signed by Sultana Kamal, convener of the forum of 19 human rights bodies.

The Daily Star published the photograph on February 11, under the headline "Fanatics raise their ugly heads again".

The caption read, “Taking advantage of the current political crisis in the country accompanied by wanton violence, banned extremist Islamist organisation Hizb-ut-Tahrir published and pasted posters in the capital in an attempt to foment unrest within the armed forces. This poster was found pasted on a wall in an alleyway near Bangla Motor i ntersection yesterday."

HRFB pointed out that even though a lawyer filed a case against The Daily Star's Editor and Publisher Mahftiz Anam, Chief News Editor Syed Ashfaqul Huq, and Chief Photographer SK Enamul Haq on February 15, three days later the prime minister addressing the parliament said The Daily Star was trying to instigate a banned outfit by publishing its poster.

"Action will be taken against those who tried to patronise Hizb-ut-Tahrir by publishing its poster," she said.

HRFB observed, "A statement by the chief executive of the country from a significant place as that of the

national parliament is a reflection of the government's highest policy. Such a statement regarding the publishing of news to inform people about a true issue does not match with the character of a democratic government.”

The organisation hoped that the government will ensure media's freedom.

"It is the responsibility of the media to inform people whether the government and everyone else are carrying out their duty properly," read the statement, adding that media accountability should be ensured through a democratic process, not through any undemocratic means.