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Bangladesh: Criminalisation of activists and crackdown on protests continue following one-sided elections

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 Bangladesh: Criminalisation of activists and crackdown on protests continue following one-sided elections Bangladeshi Nobel peace laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus in front of the court in Dhaka, January 2024 (Photo Credit: REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain) In December 2023, the CIVICUS Monitor downgraded Bangladesh’s civic space to ‘closed’, its worst rating. The downgrade is the result of a massive government crackdown on opposition politicians and independent critics in the run-up to national elections. Over the year, the authorities targeted human rights defenders, protesters and other critics, using intimidation, violence, arrest and torture. Authorities also targeted journalists exposing state abuses and shut down critical media outlets. A new Cyber Security Act, rather than freeing online expression, retained most of the repressive language of the previous draconian Digital Security Act used to criminalise thousands of online critics. As documented by Human Rights Watch, the ...
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US says it shot down Iranian drone flying towards aircraft carrier

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  US says it shot down Iranian drone flying towards aircraft carrier 4 February 2026 Share Save Ian Aikman US Navy via Reuters The drone was "aggressively" approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln, a spokesman said (file photo) An Iranian drone was shot down as it "aggressively approached" an American aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, a US military spokesman has said. An F-35C stealth fighter jet which took off from the USS Abraham Lincoln warship shot down the drone "in self-defence" to protect the aircraft carrier and its personnel, US Central Command spokesman Capt Tim Hawkins said. The ship was approximately 500 miles from the Iranian coast when the drone approached it with "unclear intent". No US equipment was damaged and no service members were harmed. It comes as the US continues to build up a military presence in the region, with tensions high between Washington and Tehran. US President Donald Trump has threatened to take militar...
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Bangladesh at a Critical Crossroads

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  Bangladesh at a Critical Crossroads Elections, the Future, and the Voice of the People   Bangladesh is currently standing at an important political and social moment. With the upcoming election approaching, citizens across the country feel a mixture of hope, concern, debate, and expectation. An election is not only a political event; it is a defining moment that shapes the direction of a nation’s future. Why This Election Matters Over the past decades, Bangladesh has made significant progress in economic growth, infrastructure, and social development. At the same time, discussions continue around democracy, governance, rule of law, and freedom of expression. This election is therefore not just about who forms the government — it is a test of public trust, institutional strength, and political culture. Public Expectations Ordinary citizens want: A free and credible election A peaceful political environment Employment opportunities and economic stability Reduction o...
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Govt approves holiday on Feb 11 along with Feb 12 to facilitate voting

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  Govt approves holiday on Feb 11 along with Feb 12 to facilitate voting The Council of Advisers gave the approval at its weekly meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office here with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair. Photo: PID DHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - Apart from the public holiday on the voting day on February 12, the Council of Advisers today approved a proposal declaring public holiday on February 11 to facilitate voter participation and ensure proper law and order management ahead of the polls. The Council gave the approval at its weekly meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office here with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair.  Later, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon, saying the Council of Advisers approved the proposal made by a high-level meeting held on Wednesday on the election preparations and security issues. He, however, said the meeting also approved ano...
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Five-day holiday announced for educational institutions

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. Educational institutions across the country will observe a five-day consecutive holiday surrounding the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum February 11, the day before the election, and February 12, election day, have been declared holidays for educational institutions by executive order. These will be followed by the regular weekly holidays on February 13 and 14. In addition, February 15 has already been listed as a holiday in the annual academic calendar on the occasion of Sri Sri Shivaratri, resulting in a continuous five-day break. Meanwhile, the government has declared February 11 and 12 as holidays for officials and employees of all government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices, as well as for teachers and staff of educational institutions across the country. A special holiday was also announced on February 10 for workers and employees in industrial areas through an executive order issued on January 25.
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Germany agrees new military service plan to boost troop numbers

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  Germany agrees new military service plan to boost troop numbers EPA Germany plans to boost its army to 260,000 by 2035 Germany's coalition government has agreed a new military service plan to boost troop numbers following months of wrangling between political forces. The new military service plan will mandate all 18-year-old men to fill out a questionnaire on their suitability to serve and, from 2027, to undergo medical screening. The decision comes as Berlin aims to create Europe's strongest conventional army. The boss of Germany's biggest defence firm, Rheinmet all, has told the BBC he believes that target could be met in five years. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the plan by the end of 2025. Armin Papperger said Chancellor Friedrich Merz's aim to boost the Bundeswehr was "realistic" and he told the BBC that "clear decisions" were coming from government. Earlier this year German defence chief Gen Carsten Breuer warned that the Western Nato all...
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