Political Opinion

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has again started taking the opinions of various journalist organizations and stakeholders on the draft of Media Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act-2021. The ministry started taking opinions in the review meeting held this Sunday afternoon under the chairmanship of State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Arafat, with…

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak quite suddenly announced the election date on May 22. July 4 means the UK General Election is just six weeks away. Like other times, this election will be held on Thursday. However, due to timing, July is not suitable for people in Scotland and Northern Ireland to vote. Because the school…

Common people are constantly harassed and suffering for birth registration, birth registration correction and English online. On top of this, the people involved in these activities are suffering from irregularities and arbitrariness. Parents have to go to different places to collect the necessary documents for birth registration of the child. Additional money has to be…

Freedom of expression and the right to protest are being repressed in Bangladesh in the build-up to the elections in January 2024.  The situation is increasing volatile in Bangladesh.  This Blog raises awareness of this situation based on Amnesty reports. Here are recent statements by Amnesty International on the situation over the last few weeks: 16th August:…

The United States condemns recent violence against workers in Bangladesh protesting over the minimum wage, as well as the criminalization of legitimate worker and trade union activities. We were saddened by the reported killing by police last week of Rasel Howlader, a 26-year-old factory worker and union member from Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation.  Additionally, we mourn the loss…

GENEVA (26 May 2020) – UN experts* expressed alarm about the ongoing persecution of journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol in Bangladesh and his previous suspected enforced disappearance. They warned that his detention and the ongoing criminal cases against him compound fears that Bangladesh is using its Digital Security Act to stifle free speech. “The targeting of…

We are deeply concerned by a series of violent incidents during ongoing protests in Bangladesh. As the country heads towards elections, we call on all political actors to make clear that such violence is unacceptable and to avoid any statements or actions that could constitute incitement to violence. As of this morning, at least 11…

Take beef and eggs for example. The price of these two commodities is higher than in neighbouring countries. If necessary, beef and eggs can be important for a limited span of time. That should be a market management strategy. The market cannot be controlled by fixing prices There are no visible integrated or effective initiatives…

Written in the late eighteenth century, Pride and Prejudice perfectly encapsulates the many relations we have in our lives. Even after more than two hundred years since its release, the book continues to make us feel all sorts of emotions through Jane Austen’s clever prose and well-moulded characters. A select few women in the novel…

The post-Covid global recession and spiralling costs of fuel import triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war, put considerable strain on Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves. Having no other alternative, Bangladesh turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), seeking a loan. In January 2023 IMF pledged to lend Bangladesh USD 4.7 billion on certain conditions, including that subsidy…