Press freedom under attack: Global threats and local reforms
Hopefully, the interim government would take sincere initiatives to implement the much-needed reforms in the media sector soon.
3 May 2025, 02:00 AM
We need a human rights agenda for transition to democracy
The past 15 years have seen the most severe narrowing of civic space, heightened surveillance, intimidation, and reprisals that often led to self-censorship. Rather than accountability for these violations, officials responsible were often rewarded for their misconduct. As we move forward with several reform agendas that can be implemented within a short timeframe, it is essential to have a national conversation on what "governance anchored in human rights" should truly look like.
10 October 2024, 12:05 PM
What reforms does the media need in Bangladesh?
The media industry of Bangladesh will have to embark on a long struggle to regain the trust of the people.
9 September 2024, 02:00 AM
How to ensure justice for the atrocities committed in the past
Ensuring justice for these crimes will require bringing all responsible parties to account, from top political leaders to the enforcers on the ground.
17 August 2024, 02:00 AM
Is political violence transforming Awami League?
These latest developments add to the concerns over the increasing tendency towards intolerance and the preference for violent means to suppress any dissent.
17 July 2024, 03:00 AM
The paradox of whitening black money while fighting corruption
Has the government redefined corruption by excluding the concept of black money?
6 July 2024, 06:56 AM
Why this intimidating police statement aimed at the media?
The BPSA's warning to the media is concerning given the overall media environment in the country
23 June 2024, 02:00 AM
An IGP’s eye-watering corruption takes the lid off patronage politics
Many of Benazir Ahmed's public statements since assuming high office aligned more with the ruling party's political stance than with the neutral stance expected of a civil servant.
28 May 2024, 02:00 AM
Is the US resetting relations by applying anti-kleptocracy law?
The timing of the US sanction on Gen Aziz Ahmed raises many questions.
24 May 2024, 11:00 AM
Why the hush-hush about MPs’ perks and privileges?
The accused in this case, against whom the opposition chief whip sought the speaker’s intervention, is none other than the populist lawyer Syed Sayedul Haque Suman.
9 May 2024, 10:40 AM
Will anyone take responsibility for traffic deaths?
The Eid festivities in April marked a grim milestone with a record number of road traffic accidents and casualties.
28 April 2024, 03:00 AM
Inadequacy in law doesn't justify enforced disappearances
Bangladesh has once again denied any instances of enforced disappearance, despite facing harsh criticism from human rights activists and calls from leading Western democracies to investigate alleged cases.
17 March 2024, 13:00 PM
Without the restoration of democracy press freedom remains unattainable
““Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”- This is what article 19 of the Universal Human Rights Declaration promised 75 years ago.
27 February 2024, 18:00 PM
Election violence, minorities, and erasure of data
Reports of violence against minorities during and after the boycott-ridden, controversial election have raised questions against Awami League’s claimed commitment to protecting the minorities.
7 February 2024, 14:00 PM
People's loss of faith in elections: To what extent is the EC to blame?
The EC's attempts to portray the election as participatory and fair seem to have been more focused on appearance than on genuine efforts to achieve these goals.
22 January 2024, 02:00 AM
Dr Yunus’ conviction sets a repugnant precedent
The frequent vilification of Dr Yunus by senior Awami League members, including the PM, have led many to believe this was an orchestrated persecution.
3 January 2024, 14:00 PM
Forced voting to fool the world?
It is clear why Awami League is so desperate to make January 7, 2024 look like a genuine competition, without any real competitors.
27 December 2023, 01:00 AM
Bargaining for victory is anything but an election
We have never seen politicians belonging to the ruling coterie seeking and securing guarantees in election bargain like they have this time
19 December 2023, 02:00 AM
We must raise our voice against injustice everywhere at once
Speaking out against domestic human rights abuses cannot and should not wait until all other global injustices have been addressed.
10 December 2023, 03:00 AM
Placing dummies as alternatives disenfranchises voters
We are witnessing an engineered intra-party contest as most of the independents belong to the ruling party.
4 December 2023, 02:00 AM