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 […]
R2F panel discussion on Dissent Criminalized: The State of Freedom of Speech in Bangladesh.
R2F panel discussion on Dissent Criminalized: The State of Freedom of Speech in Bangladesh. DSA is a government tool used to silence journalists in Bangladesh The human rights organization, Right to Freedom (R2F) in association with the South Asia Perspectives organized a panel discussion on December 05 at the National Press Club, Washington, titled “Dissent […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
What’s Next for Bangladeshi Politics?
What’s Next for Bangladeshi Politics? Since July 2022, Bangladeshi opposition parties, especially the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have been holding rallies throughout the country. Though Bangladesh has experienced political volatility and regular general strikes in the past, the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) has held a monopoly on organizing political rallies and cracked down on public demonstrations by opposition parties […]
World closely monitoring Bangladesh govt’s actions
A total of 15 press freedom and human rights organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, have said that the Bangladesh government should be aware that the world is closely monitoring its retaliatory actions against family members of exiled journalists and government critics. They asked the Bangladesh government to release Nusrat Shahrin Raka, sister of […]
How Bangladesh’s Digital Security Act Is Creating a Culture of Fear
Dhaka’s abstention in Ukraine vote is an anomaly The Bangladeshi government has used a vaguely worded law on digital security to crack down on its critics and dispel online dissent. Author and social activist Mushtaq Ahmed died in a Bangladeshi jail on February 25, 2021, after being detained and allegedly tortured for social media posts critical of the government. […]
