Statement by Right to Freedom on Bangladesh’s Elections

Statement by Right to Freedom on Bangladesh’s Elections Jan 09, 2024 The fears which we expressed in our December 29 statement on Bangladesh’s Elections have now come to pass. As already noted by the United States, United Kingdom and others, Bangladesh’s January 7 elections can be considered neither free nor fair. More importantly, this election […]

Statement on Bangladesh’s January 7 General Election

Statement on Bangladesh’s January 7 General Election Date: December 29, 2023 For many months, friends of Bangladesh have been sounding the alarm regarding the risk of the country’s 2024 general elections following the pattern witnessed in 2014 and 2018, in which the ruling party orchestrated results that deprived voters of the chance to freely exercise […]

Time For a Different Approach in Bangladesh

Time For a Different Approach in Bangladesh Over the past year, the United States has invested considerable diplomatic energy in an effort to promote free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh as part of a broader attempt to promote democracy and human rights. While the visa policy announced in May has received the most attention, […]

UN wants election in Bangladesh to be certified as free and fair: UNGA president

UN wants election in Bangladesh to be certified as free and fair: UNGA president M Mushfiqul Fazal, UN Correspondent The United Nations wants to see a national election in Bangladesh which can be certified as free and fair. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Dennis Francis said this in reply to a question from […]

Bangladesh is poised for an election to seal autocratic rule

Bangladesh is poised for an election to seal autocratic rule Bangladesh’sElection Commission set the country on a familiar but gravely uncertain path last week when it announced Jan. 7 as the date for the 12th parliamentary elections.  The ruling Awami League is trying to consolidate its grip on power in the run-up to the general election […]

Freedom of Expression in Bangladesh is under serious threat

Freedom of Expression in Bangladesh is under serious threat In a panel discussion entitled “Freedom of Expression in Bangladesh and Future Challenges,” organized sponsored by the Washington-based rights organization ‘Right to Freedom,’ on May 16, experts and journalistsparticipants emphasized the inseparable link between freedom of expression and political change in the country. The event shed […]

Statement on US Visa Policy to Promote Democratic Elections in Bangladesh

Statement on US Visa Policy to Promote Democratic Elections in Bangladesh Right to Freedom welcomes the U.S. Department of State’s announcement of a new visa policy to promote democratic elections in Bangladesh. We endorse efforts such as those announced today by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to support those seeking to advance democracy and hold […]

Bangladesh Opposition Fears Election Commission Law Favors Ruling Party

Bangladesh Opposition Fears Election Commission Law Favors Ruling Party Ahammad FoyezCourtesy: Benar News-https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/bengali/election-commission-01272022153823.html A bill passed by Bangladesh’s parliament on Thursday institutionalizes election-management practices that favor the incumbent government, setting the stage for the Awami League to remain in power through the next election, opposition parties and critics say. It formalizes procedures used by current […]

Bangladesh one-party local elections turn deadly

Bangladesh one-party local elections turn deadly Overall Death Toll in Union Council Polls Tops 100 Ahammad FoyezCourtesy: Benar News-https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/bengali/bangladesh-union-council-poll-violence-01052022152313.html The death toll from violence around Union Council elections in Bangladesh surpassed 100 on Wednesday, as at least 10 people were killed in the latest stage of polling, including some by police gunfire, local authorities and […]