Citizen Delegation Inspects Human Rights Violations Against Religious Minorities in Raozan
A citizen delegation on Saturday visited the sites of recent attacks and arson targeting religious minority households in Sultanpur Municipality of Raozan upazila in Chattogram, expressing serious concern over minority safety ahead of the upcoming national election.
Media and Broadcasting Commission Ordinances Termed ‘Unreasonable’ by Editors’ Council
The Editors’ Council has described the hurried publication of draft ordinances for the “National Media Commission” and the “Broadcasting Commission” just ahead of the election as undesirable and unreasonable. The organization of newspaper editors believes that making final decisions on laws with such far-reaching consequences without adequate consultation with stakeholders poses a risk to media freedom.
Journalism in Bangladesh Is Going Through an All-Pervasive Climate of Fear: Mahfuz Anam to Al Jazeera
The Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, Mahfuz Anam, has said that journalism in Bangladesh is going through a kind of all-pervasive fear—where even the slightest deviation from a mindset imposed by certain groups carries the risk of being attacked.
Interim Government Set to Introduce Another Black Law
A new “Broadcasting Ordinance, 2026” is being fast-tracked during the tenure of the interim government. According to the draft law prepared by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, trials for broadcasting-related offences must be completed within just 90 working days, and for this purpose, one or more “Broadcasting Tribunals” will be established.
Lowest Number of Female Candidates in a Decade and a Half
In Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, women remain severely underrepresented, with only 65 female candidates around 3.5 percent contesting despite women making up nearly half of the electorate, highlighting persistent gender bias within political party nominations and the absence of enforceable legal safeguards.
The Language Movement Month Begins in a Different Atmosphere, Without the Book Fair Spirit
February has begun the month of the Bengali Language Movement. However, this time the beginning of February is different. Breaking a long-standing tradition, the “Amar Ekushey Book Fair” is not starting on the first day of the language month. Due to the national parliamentary elections, the book fair is not being inaugurated at its scheduled time this year.
Media Commission Ordinance Is Interim Government’s “Parting Mockery,” Says TIB
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has described the draft ordinances for the “National Media Commission” and the “Broadcast Commission” as a “parting mockery” by the interim government of public expectations for the development of a free media environment in the country.
Deaths from Mob Violence Rise from 10 to 21 in January, Rights Group Warns
The Human Rights Culture Foundation (MSF) has expressed deep concern over the severe deterioration of the country’s overall human rights situation. According to the organization’s latest report, the number of deaths caused by mob violence doubled in January compared to December. At the same time, incidents involving the recovery of unidentified bodies and persecution of minorities increased at an alarming rate.
Rice Prices Remain High Despite Stable Vegetable, Chicken and Egg Markets
Prices of Miniket rice and locally produced Nazirshail rice have remained elevated in the capital’s kitchen markets over the past few weeks. Newly arrived Miniket and Nazirshail rice are being sold at Tk 70–75 per kilogram, while older stocks are priced higher at Tk 75–85 per kilogram.
Sheikh Hasina Seen Healthy and Confident
A delegation of the UK Awami League recently met with former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi. The five-member delegation, which traveled from London, held a nearly five-hour-long meeting with Sheikh Hasina on January 21. They returned to the United Kingdom on January 26 after completing their visit.