UN says arrest of journalist Rozina concerning

The United Nations has said it is concerned over the harassment and arrest of Bangladesh's daily Prothom Alo Senior Reporter Rozina Islam.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres's spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric made this comment while addressing a regular briefing of the UN on Tuesday.

Replying to a question in this regard, he said, "We've seen the press reports on the journalist that was arrested in Bangladesh. It is, obviously, something that we are looking at. It is something that's concerning." 

"Our position has been clear.  Journalists need to be able to do their work free of any sort of harassment or physical threat anywhere around the world. And, obviously, that includes Bangladesh and every other country," Dujarric added.

Earlier on Monday, journalist Rozina was confined and humiliated at the health ministry for around five hours for allegedly taking snapshots of official documents, and concealing some other ones at the secretariat without due permission.

Later, she was handed over to the police, and sued under Bangladesh Penal Code, and Official Secrets Act.