While the international community has made tremendous progress in moving away from the death penalty, Bangladesh continues to use it for a wide range of offenses, including many that do not result in the loss of life.

The Human Organ Transplantation Act 1999 has been enacted in Bangladesh to prevent commercial organ trade.

Article 102(1) of the Constitution enables the High Court Division (HCD) to give directions or orders as may be ‘appropriate’ for the enforcement of any fundamental rights. Thus, the Article permits the petitioner and the HCD to choose any suitable remedy, including compensation, for the enforcement of fundamental rights, as it does not specify the sort of redress.

The common scenario concerning road accidents is that there are usually three types of people other than victims and wrongdoers, namely, reluctant spectators, stealers, and voluntary rescuers.

The concept of ‘euthanasia’ or intentionally ending a person’s life to relieve suffering, is not new. The term was first coined by Francis Bacon, referring to a situation where a doctor helps a patient to end their life.

During the July-August mass uprising in Bangladesh, there were widespread concerns among citizens that phone calls and internet activities were under government surveillance, sparking fears of potential detention by the law enforcement based on information so acquired. While spyware refers to malicious software designed to gather information about a person or organisation and send it to another party, often violating the user’s privacy, lawful interception involves the authorised, legally approved monitoring of telecommunication services by the government agencies. It is crucial to review the current legal framework for lawful interception in Bangladesh and emphasise the urgent need for judicial oversight to ensure compliance with these standards.

Recognising education as a human right is crucial for both individual and societal development. The right to education is a universally recognised right, enshrined in various international human rights documents, including Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Economics, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The global refugee crisis, with millions fleeing their homes due to violence, war, and persecution, is one of the most pressing issues of our times. While international law, particularly the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, provide the legal frameworks for refugee protection, many nations especially former colonial powers remain reluctant to accept their fair share of responsibility. A fresh approach to solving the crisis proposes that former colonial powers should accept refugees from their former colonies as a way of addressing historical injustices.

While walking along the footpaths of Dhaka, one of the most persistent problems we face is exposure to cigarette smoke. The pervasive smell and clouds of cigarette smoke create an unpleasant experience for non-smokers. Indeed, due to exposure to cigarette smoke, passive smokers tend to be at significant risk of developing respiratory problems, heart disease, and even cancer.

The clarion call for change is blowing in the wind of Bangladesh, carrying with it the potential and promise of a brighter future. To usher in this change wholeheartedly, we must acknowledge our past mistakes and work towards rectifying them. In particular, time is ripe for us to revisit the laws that potentially have a negative impact on human rights.

People are likely to gain confidence in the justice system when they see justice getting served. This is why courtrooms are deemed open or accessible, theoretically at least, to all. By the same logic, in an age of technologies, in order to foster public confidence, should livestreaming of court proceedings be encouraged?  Comparative discussions may prove to be useful in finding the answer.

Since the July revolution, there has been a strong push for reforms across the country. As expected, the clamours for reforms have not left the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 (ICT Act) untouched. As the government prepares to prosecute high-ranking members of the former government, it is crucial to implement extensive reforms to the Act to ensure the proceedings are beyond reproach.

According to the Charter of the United Nations under article 2(4) all members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other way inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

It has been two months since the current interim government took over after the fall of the previous authoritarian regime.

In the midst of the political transition facing Bangladesh, some people have suggested that the country should adopt a simpler constitution, akin to that of the United States— one that enshrines only the loftiest aspirations of the people while relegating procedural intricacies to statutory enactments.

On 5 October 2024, the Dhaka Law Review (DHLR), a student-run law review based in the Department of Law, University of Dhaka, organised a seminar on “Judicial Independence and Reforms: Post-Revolution Expectations.”

There are some serious debates around the constitutionality of Bangladesh’s interim government. We have seen attempts to justify it both in terms of Hans Kelsen’s Grundnorm theory and the existing Constitution.

In recent months, the streets and public transports have become increasingly unsafe, with women facing escalating levels of harassment, intimidation, and verbal abuse. What was once an unspoken daily struggle has now intensified, with more aggressive tactics being employed by the perpetrators. In some instances, the harassment has taken the form of physical violence, with social media flooding with statements of women experiencing harassments, assaults, and abuse.

The macroeconomic challenges of Bangladesh keep accelerating due to the constant presence of nonperforming loans in the banking sector.

With the participation of students and people from all walks of life, the students and masses have brought down the previous regime. While we look forward to a new start, we must not forget the atrocities, violence, and crime spree that took place during and after the uprising.