Today, Bangladeshi blogger Niloy Neel was reported dead, hacked to death by unknown assailants. Mr Neel is the fourth blogger to be murdered this year in Bangladesh after expressing secular views online.

Our statement:

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Niloy Neel, and our thoughts are with his friends and family. All indications are that Mr Neel was brutally murdered after exercising his right to freedom of expression online. We call on the Bangladeshi authorities to do everything in their power bring those responsible to justice, and take urgent steps to put an end to the persecution of bloggers in Bangladesh. No-one should have to fear for their life because they use the Web as a space for responsible debate and personal expression.”