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 […]

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 […]

R2F Panel Discussion on Challenges of Democracy in Bangladesh

Regional politics, looming economic challenges and Biden Administration human rights policy put pressure on Awami League in run-up to national elections Panelists at a recent discussion titled ‘Challenges of Democracy in Bangladesh’ organized by Washington-based rights organization Right to Freedom, (R2F) highlighted the increasing pressure on the Awami League government ahead of national elections in […]

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 […]

National Press Club Urges India’s Government to Rescind Ban on BBC Documentary

National Press Club Urges India’s Government to Rescind Ban on BBC Documentary Following is a statement from Eileen O’Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the decision by the government of India to censor the airing of a BBC news documentary probing the […]

Bangladesh’s shutting down of top opposition newspaper triggers concern

Bangladesh’s shutting down of top opposition newspaper triggers concern Bangladesh authorities forced to stop publication of the country’s main opposition newspaper on February 19 after a judge upheld a government order to shut it down. The move comes as journalists in the South Asian country face ever-growing pressure.”The council rejected our appeal, upholding the district […]

DSA is a government tool used to silence journalists in Bangladesh

DSA is a government tool used to silence journalists in Bangladesh South Asia Perspectives panel discussion meeting on Dissent Criminalized: The State of Free Speech in Bangladesh. The human rights organization, Right to Freedom (R2F) in association with South Asia Perspectives organized a panel discussion on December 05 at the National Press Club titled “Dissent […]

Bangladesh government digs in against protests as economy teeters

Experts warn of 2023 debt challenge and election considered unlikely to be fair DHAKA — Political tensions in Bangladesh are boiling after a weekend that saw tens of thousands take to the streets against the government, raising fears of violence and repression as well as concerns over the impact on an already fragile economy. A […]

Two Bangladeshi opposition leaders arrested in government crackdown

Seven killed and thousands arrested as Hasina regime continues repressive campaign against opponents Two top leaders of Bangladesh’s main opposition party have been arrested amid a violent crackdown on government opponents during which at least seven people have been shot dead and thousands arrested. Over recent weeks, Sheikh Hasina’s government has launched a repressive campaign […]