Amnesty Flags Abuse of Anti-Terror Laws Targeting Journalists in Bangladesh
Human rights organization Amnesty International has raised concerns over the misuse of anti-terror laws in Bangladesh, particularly against journalists, ahead of the country’s upcoming February 12 elections.
SAJF Condemns Violent Attack on Journalists in Narsingdi, Calls for Full Investigation and Protection
The South Asia Journalists Federation (SAJF) has strongly condemned the brutal attack on members of the Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB) in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, on Monday evening, which left at least ten journalists injured. Among those hurt were journalists Shahed, Mohsin, Sakhawat Kausar, and CRAB staff member Lal.
Sheikh Hasina Comments on Bangladesh’s Upcoming Election While in Exile
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently residing abroad, has expressed her concerns over Bangladesh’s forthcoming national election, highlighting the exclusion of her political party from the electoral process.
Non-Functional Human Rights and Information Commissions
Bangladesh’s National Human Rights Commission and Information Commission have remained largely inactive for over a year, creating institutional gaps in human rights protection and access to information, while recent steps signal limited progress toward reconstitution.
Adani’s Power Supply to Bangladesh Increases Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Despite strained relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, visa complications, and security concerns, India’s industrial conglomerate Adani Group has increased its electricity supply to Bangladesh. Power exports from Adani Power’s coal-based Godda power plant in Jharkhand, owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, to Bangladesh have risen significantly in recent months.
Government will not issue a GO for Bangladeshi journalists’ trip to India
Mahbub ul Alam, the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has said that no government order (GO) will be issued by the government for Bangladeshi journalists to travel to India to cover the T-20 World Cup. He also said that if journalists are personally satisfied about security, the government has no objection to their travel to India.
Fears and anxieties may discourage minority communities from voting
Minority communities want to exercise their citizenship rights by voting. However, their fears and concerns regarding life, livelihood, property, and dignity are not subsiding in any way. These fears and concerns may discourage minority communities from voting, said the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.
Sheikh Hasina: Democracy Will Weaken If Free Participation Is Not Ensured in the National Election
From exile, Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a widely recognized advocate of democratic governance, has expressed deep and serious concerns regarding the upcoming national election following the ban imposed on her political party, the Awami League.
Using religion to seek votes in elections is concerning: ASK
The use of religion in campaigning for the upcoming national parliamentary election, as well as the tendency to seek votes by exerting direct or indirect pressure on citizens who practice other religions, is also a matter of serious concern. In addition, incidents of clashes, violence, provocative statements, and allegations of irregularities among political parties and candidates in various parts of the country have prompted the Law and Arbitration Center (ASK) to express deep concern and anxiety.
While candidates reach voters, diplomats engage power
While candidates campaign among the people, foreign ambassadors remain busy engaging with power centers highlighting the growing gap between voters and external influence in the election process.