Government should heed the UN’s concerns

Freedom of expression and opinion is under severe threat as people’s voices are being suppressed using repressive laws such as the DSA. Cases of enforced disappearances have created fear among the citizens. Poverty has increased in society, while violence against women and children have become major issues of concern.
20 September 2021, 15:36 PM

Shortage of manpower could jeopardise vaccine drives

The planned inoculation of two crore people against Covid-19 every month starting from October, along with that of 2.5 to 3 crore children annually under different
19 September 2021, 18:00 PM

When opinions become culpable

Jhumon has been in jail for the last six months. Police showed him arrested and produced him before a Sunamganj court on March 17, after which he was sent to jail. He has been there since then, without bail. The reason for his arrest is a Facebook status he posted, where he questioned the activities of a Hefazat leader. It was merely an opinion which any free person in a free society should be entitled to.
19 September 2021, 13:49 PM

Only a fully functional law can make our roads safe

It is extremely disappointing to note the ever-increasing chaos in our road transport sector.
18 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Delay in setting up RT-PCR labs at airport

These labs are desperately needed by the between 30,000 and 50,000 migrant workers, who have been stranded here and unable to go back to work in the UAE for months. This is due to the fact that, on August 4, the UAE government imposed a condition for migrant workers from different countries to carry a Covid-19 negative certificate based on an RT-PCR test result obtained within six hours before boarding their plane.
18 September 2021, 16:58 PM

Is the social safety net becoming a bottomless pit?

It’s a classic case of contradictions central to how Bangladesh approaches its major problems. The country, according to a new report, has a commendable social safety net programme on paper, with substantial allocations that place it among the top four countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
18 September 2021, 06:17 AM

Take proper action to stop dengue spread

The reports of dengue infections have been increasing at a worrying rate, and new data shows that the disease has started to spread beyond Dhaka, which has been the dengue hotspot for the past few months.
17 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Why are so many children dying from drowning?

The statistics of death by drowning among children in Bangladesh is very grim. According to one survey report, in the last year and a half, 1,400 individuals died by drowning, 83 percent of whom were children.
16 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Execution of public projects must be more efficient

The long-awaited opening of the Payra Bridge is finally set to take place next month, five years after the stipulated deadline and at a cost that is 3.5 times higher than the original estimate.
16 September 2021, 16:17 PM

Not enough time for students to register for vaccine

We are sceptical about the recent government decision that any university can resume in-person classes if all of its students complete online registration to get the Covid-19 vaccine by September 27. Earlier, the deadline for reopening the universities was set at October 15.
15 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Set up RT-PCR lab at Dhaka airport urgently

The fact that we don’t have any Covid-19 testing facilities at our largest international airport yet is a disgrace. It shows just how indifferent the relevant authorities are to the plight of the people—and the migrant workers in particular.
15 September 2021, 15:57 PM

Much-needed education reforms closer to reality

On Monday, Education Minister Dipu Moni unveiled the revised National Curriculum Framework, which, in its current form, looks set to bring major positive changes to our education system.
14 September 2021, 18:00 PM

NHRC must be freed from partisan influence

The basic human rights are enshrined in universal declarations and guaranteed by our constitution to every individual, irrespective of cast, creed or colour. But human rights involve much more than written guarantees, legislation or ratification of international conventions.
14 September 2021, 14:08 PM

Save the environment, and the leather industry too

We commend the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for its quick move to implement a recent recommendation of a
13 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Reopened schools bring a moment of joy long denied

After 543 days, most schools and colleges finally reopened on Sunday to the delight of students and teachers. On the first day, schools opened amid a festive mood and were buzzing with students who were overjoyed at being able to see their friends after such a long time and get back to in-class learning.
13 September 2021, 15:56 PM

Commissionary zeal for breaking the law?

It is surprising to know how the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) circumvented due process to bring in new licensing
12 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Deaths on the roads are so much more than accidents

All deaths are tragic. But those that occur on our roads are mostly unnecessary and avoidable.
12 September 2021, 13:50 PM

Take action against wilful defaulters

We are delighted to hear the current president of FBCCI, the apex trade organisation of the country, call for the punishment of wilful defaulters of
11 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Schools starting to reopen at long last

We wholeheartedly welcome the resumption of in-person classes at schools all over the country in phases starting Sunday.
11 September 2021, 12:44 PM

Break the vicious cycle of domestic worker abuse

We are shocked to know about the ordeal of a 21-year-old woman who was recently released after being confined and tortured for five years.
10 September 2021, 18:00 PM