New Ordinance Approves Restructured National Human Rights Commission
Bangladesh’s Advisory Council, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, approves a new National Human Rights Commission Ordinance to strengthen the body’s power, transparency, and jurisdiction, ensuring accountability and protection of human rights.
Sheikh Hasina Slams Her War Crimes Trial, Says Bangladesh Election ‘Cannot Be Credible’ Without Awami League
Ex-Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, says that upcoming elections risk deepening the country’s political divide. In written responses to AFP—her first interview since being toppled—she condemned her trial for crimes against humanity as a “jurisprudential joke,” insisting a guilty verdict was “preordained.”
Why the Proposed NHRC Amendment May Prove Ineffective
The Bangladesh interim government has proposed amendments to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act, 2009, aiming to expand the commission’s investigative powers and jurisdiction. However, experts question whether the reforms align with the Paris Principles or address the NHRC’s long-standing institutional and procedural deficiencies that kept it at “B” status under GANHRI accreditation.
Malaysia’s New Hiring Rules Leave Bangladeshi Agencies Struggling
The recruitment of foreign workers from Bangladesh and several other countries to Malaysia has remained suspended since May 31 last year. Despite multiple rounds of discussions to reopen the labor market, no concrete progress has been made. However, under the existing memorandum of understanding, Malaysia has introduced new conditions for determining the number of recruiting agencies allowed to participate in the hiring process.
Sheikh Hasina in rare interview: I’m not to blame for the bloodshed — my trial is a sham
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has denied allegations that she ordered security forces to open fire during last year’s deadly crackdown on street protests — a move that ultimately led to her downfall. She made the remarks in a rare and wide-ranging interview.
Dhaka Hosts Defense Talks as Pakistan, Bangladesh Move Toward Thaw in Relations
Pakistan and Bangladesh have signaled a gradual thaw in their long-strained relations as Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza held a series of meetings in Dhaka with senior civilian and military leaders to discuss defense and security cooperation, Pakistan’s military confirmed on Monday.
Uncertainty Persists Over Implementation of July National Charter, Say Political Groups
The National Consensus Commission has submitted its recommendations on implementing the July National Charter, including forming a Constitutional Reform Council, but political divisions and procedural ambiguity have cast doubt on its execution.
BGMEA Urges Government to Reconsider ‘Impractical’ Labour Ordinance
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan criticizes the new Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, calling the revised union formation rules “imbalanced and unrealistic,” warning of investor uncertainty and industrial unrest.
Violence Erupts in Chittagong Hill Tracts: Indigenous Communities Demand Justice
The picturesque hills of south-eastern Bangladesh, known for their lush greenery and terraced slopes, have once again become the epicenter of unrest. In late September 2025, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) witnessed violent clashes that exposed the deep-rooted challenges faced by Indigenous communities, including marginalisation, militarisation, and systemic impunity.
From Executioner to Activist: The Hypocrisy of Lt. Colonel Hasinur Rahman’s Justice Campaign
In Bangladesh, political theatrics staged under the banner of “human rights” are not uncommon. Yet when the protagonist of such a performance is a dismissed army officer accused of treason, rebellion, and extrajudicial killings, the spectacle becomes an outright insult to the nation’s conscience.