Bangladesh: International community must respond to the crackdown on freedom of expression Format The Bangladeshi authorities must end their escalating crackdown on human rights, and respect and protect people's rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Bangladesh to curb protesters demanding justice for writer Mushtaq Ahmed's death in prison on 25 February, the nine undersigned human rights organizations said in a joint statement today. Ahmed, 53, was a Bangladeshi writer held in pre-trial arbitrary detention for nine months under the draconian Digital Security Act of 2018 ("DSA"), following his arrest in May 2020 for Facebook posts and social media communications that were deemed critical of the government. The death in prison of Mushtaq Ahmed raises serious concerns about the protection of fundamental freedoms, including the rights to life, privacy, and the right to liberty.