On 3 May 2026, journalist Nazrul Islam Mithu, Dhaka correspondent of the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur and president of the Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB), was reportedly denied boarding clearance by immigration authorities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka and prevented from boarding a scheduled flight to China. The incident occurred after he had collected his boarding pass and reached the immigration counter. He was reportedly called by name, taken to the office of the immigration Special Superintendent of Police, and questioned about his identity, profession, OCAB role, travel purpose, and whether any case existed against him. An immigration official, speaking anonymously, told The Business Standard that he was stopped due to “objections from intelligence officials.” News outlet UNB also reported that no specific reason was given.
The incident occurred on World Press Freedom Day and one day after OCAB reportedly called for an end to repression against journalists at a programme in Dhaka. Mithu later described the restriction in a Facebook post detailing the incident as a violation of his constitutional right to freedom of movement, a right also protected under ICCPR Article 12.
The incident raises concern about opaque, intelligence-led travel restrictions against journalists without a disclosed legal basis, written order, or clear appeal mechanism. Given Mithu’s role as both a journalist and OCAB president, the case may have a chilling effect on media professionals, especially those engaging with international media, overseas travel, and professional associations. It negatively affects the enabling environment for press freedom, freedom of movement, freedom of association, due process, and civic participation.