Journalist orgs demand changes to the Mass Media Employees bill

Leaders of different journalist organisations today demanded to bring several changes in the much debated “Mass Media Employees (Services Conditions) Bill” including dropping the provision of setting up a mass media court to turn the proposed law journalist-friendly.
21 July 2022, 14:54 PM

Bangladesh getting GSP plus: Rights situation, labour law have to improve

The European Parliamentary Committee on International Trade has categorically said Bangladesh needs to improve rights situation and amend labour law at the soonest in compliance with international standards to be eligible for GSP Plus.
19 July 2022, 18:00 PM

“Keeping the eyes shut won’t stop the apocalypse”

In the wake of an attack on the Hindu community in the Sahapara area of Narail’s Lohagora upazila yesterday, 21 eminent citizens today (July 16) condemned the incident and expressed concern.
16 July 2022, 16:50 PM

Villagers in Sirajganj’s Boldipara want cancellation of Ashrayan housing on playground

Boldipara villagers staged a demonstration protesting the proposed Ashrayan project at a century-old playground in Kayempur union under Sirajganj’s Shahjadpur upazila this (July 14, 2022) morning.
14 July 2022, 13:19 PM

Environmental orgs urge govt to not acquire agricultural land in Khulna’s Banishanta

Eight environmental organisations today collectively sent a letter to 10 government agencies demanding them to refrain from acquiring 300 acres of agricultural land at Banishanta union under Dakop upazila in Khulna.
7 July 2022, 14:25 PM

‘Lowering age limit not a solution’

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights.
6 July 2022, 18:00 PM

Labour rights situation: Bangladesh listed among 10 worst countries

Bangladesh is one of the world’s 10 worst countries for workers, according to the Global Rights Index 2022 of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
2 July 2022, 18:00 PM

Birth certificates for street children: High Court issues rule

The High Court today (June 30, 2022) directed the government to submit a report on the steps taken to issue birth certificates to all street children across the country in three months before this court.
30 June 2022, 13:55 PM

Noted citizens express concern over murder, humiliation of teachers

Seventeen eminent citizens have expressed grave concern over murder and humiliation of teachers in Ashulia and Narail, and urged the government to strictly address the incidents.
28 June 2022, 11:01 AM

“My tears have dried, please bring back my son”

“My tears have dried… There’s no trace of my son for over two months.”
27 June 2022, 11:17 AM

"DSA imposes draconian punishments for a wide range of vaguely defined acts"

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan has said that the Digital Security Act of Bangladesh imposes draconian punishments for a wide range of vaguely defined acts.
25 June 2022, 16:22 PM

France, Germany express concern over scrapping of NGO Odhikar’s registration

France and Germany have expressed deep concern over the scrapping of non-government organisation (NGO) Odhikar’s registration by the Government of Bangladesh. 
21 June 2022, 15:09 PM

Rohingya return: Talks get nowhere

Nearly five years into the largest Rohingya influx, the process of repatriation remains confined only to talks with the international funding declining for the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.
20 June 2022, 02:00 AM

Tk 10 lakh fine for journalists' ‘illegal activity’?

There are already laws in place for newspapers and journalists. Why did the Press Council, then, take the initiative to amend the Press Council Act 1974, keeping provision to impose a fine of up to Tk 10 lakh? Is it not their obligation to protect the interests of journalists?
19 June 2022, 15:00 PM

“Let’s go home; let’s go to Myanmar”: Rohingya rally tells world

Thousands of Rohingyas today (June 19, 2022) held a peaceful rally in Ukhia of Cox’s Bazar – to tell the world that they want to go back to their homeland Myanmar, a day before World Refugee Day.
19 June 2022, 10:38 AM

Biranganas caught in bureaucratic tangles

The absence of a timeline in the process of gazette notification subjects Biranganas to waiting for more than three years to be gazetted as freedom fighters, says a new report by Transparency International Bangladesh.
16 June 2022, 18:00 PM

Longer wait for Biranganas to get same privileges as freedom fighters: TIB

Biranganas have to wait for up to more than three years to be gazetted as freedom fighters in the absence of a timeline in the process, says a new report of Transparency International Bangladesh.
16 June 2022, 15:27 PM

Govt must recognise women’s domestic work to fulfil SDG in gender equality: MJF

Manusher Jonno Foundation has said the government must recognise women’s domestic work to fulfil Sustainable Development Goal-5 in achieving gender equality.
15 June 2022, 12:29 PM

Activist Mizanur recounts what happened to him after being “picked up”

Every time someone gets “picked up”, reports are published in media. After being “picked up”, whereabouts of some become known, while the unlucky ones are never found. What is never known, however, is the way someone gets “picked up” and who does the “picking up”.
14 June 2022, 18:44 PM

OTT draft rules prohibit news, talk-show broadcast

The information ministry yesterday submitted to the High Court a draft of the OTT (Over-The-Top) regulations prohibiting broadcast of news or talk-shows, except for the contents defined in the draft, on the OTT platforms.
13 June 2022, 18:00 PM