The International Publishers Association (IPA) has condemned an attack on publisher Sabyasachi’s stand at the Amar Ekushey book fair in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Extremists were protesting at the presence of books by author Taslima Nasrin, the Bangladeshi writer who is known for her work on women’s oppression and criticism of religion. Some of her books are banned in Bangladesh.
Kristenn Einarsson, Chair of the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee said: We are saddened to read the reports from Bangladesh of an attack on a publisher’s stand at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Book fairs should be a place of intellectual curiosity and the opportunity to exchange ideas. They should not be places where publishers and authors feel at risk of violence. We support the statement by Iqbal Hossain Shanu of the Bangladesh Creative Publishers’ Association.
Iqbal Hossain Shanu, President of the Bangladesh Creative Publishers Association said: “As publishers, we stand for the free exchange of ideas, creativity, and knowledge. The recent mob attack at the Amar Ekushey book fair in Bangladesh is an abhorrent assault on the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and intellectual discourse. We strongly condemn this act of violence, which seeks to instil fear and suppress voices of thought and literature.
“Such attacks not only threaten the safety of writers, publishers, and readers but also undermine the cultural and literary heritage that fairs like this represent. We stand in solidarity with the victims and the literary community of Bangladesh, urging authorities to take swift action to ensure justice and security. We also demand the opening of the book stall which is shut down since the attack.
“Violence has no place in literature, learning, or society. We will continue to champion the power of words over weapons, knowledge over ignorance, and courage over fear.”
