Third Atheist Blogger Hacked to Death in Bangladesh

A third atheist blogger was killed in Bangladesh recently in a growing rise of attacks against those who question the strict Islamic religion in the country.

Secular blogger Ananta Bijoy Das was hacked to death by attackers wielding machetes in the streets of Sylhet earlier this week.

Das, a banker, had been traveling to work when he was attacked by four suspects wielding machetes. Das had reportedly been a blogger on the website Mukto-Mona, which often included discussions of thoughts that suggested a non-Muslim agenda.

Das is the third atheist blogger to be hacked to death in the streets of Bangladesh in recent months. Previously, atheist bloggers Washiqur Rahman and Avijit Roy were also hacked to death in the street in similar fashion.

According to The Guardian, Human Rights Watch's Asia Director Brad Adams has urged local authorities "to act swiftly to bring to justice those responsible for these brutal attacks, and to make clear public statements that attacking freedom of religion and expression will not be tolerated".

 "This pattern of vicious attacks on secular and atheist writers not only silences the victims but also sends a chilling message to all in Bangladesh who espouse independent views on religious issues," Adams added.

"When the authorities jail atheist or secular bloggers for nothing more than expressing their opinion about religion, it suggests that the government agrees with radicals who are butchering people on Bangladesh's streets," the Asia director said.

According to The Washington Post, Das was reportedly prepared to give a speech in Sweden regarding journalist freedom, but was recently denied a visiting visa, being told by the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka that it would be possible that once he arrived in Sweden, he would not leave.