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Jamaat wants national unity for establishing democracy

The amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman at a programme in Dhaka on Monday called on the political parties to remain united for the sake of the national interests...

Dr Kamal seeks restoration of democracy

Founder of the Gonoforum and its emeritus president Dr Kamal Hossain on Sunday called on the political parties to cooperate with the interim government headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus for democratic transition of the country...

Innocence lost in legal maze

IN A functioning democracy, the justice system exists to uphold truth, safeguard the innocent and ensure the guilty are held to account. Yet in Bangladesh, the courts are not reliably the sanctuary they were once believed to be. The proliferation of false and fabricated legal cases for control, revenge or coercion — signals not just institutional dysfunction, but a deeper...

Strong democracy, inclusive governance urged for progress

Speakers at a seminar on Saturday emphasised that Bangladesh’s future prosperity hinges on the strengthening of democratic practices, inclusive governance, and the creation of an equitable and discrimination-free society.

Paving path to pluralism

PLURALISM is a fundamental principle of liberal democracy, ensuring that diverse political parties, ideologies, and social groups coexist and actively participate in governance. The constitutional reform commission proposed key amendments to the preamble of the constitution, emphasising values such as equality, social justice, human dignity, and democracy...

BANGLADESH AT A CROSSROAD: Can the people restore democracy?

EVERY nation faces moments that define its future, crossroads where it must decide whether to cling to a broken past or embrace the promise of transformation. Bangladesh stands at such a crossroad. The July mass uprising was more than a protest; it was a declaration that the people refuse to be silent...

Transforming Info Commission into constitutional body demanded

Experts on Thursday urged to establish the Information Commission Bangladesh as an independent constitutional body to ensure its independence in strengthening democracy and accountability...

BNP’s dismissive rhetoric contrary to pluralist democracy

THE remark of an influential standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Salahuddin Ahmed, about the newly launched National Citizens’ Party’s pronounced objective of establishing a ‘second republic’ in Bangladesh was ‘conspiratorial’ and was aimed at prolonging ‘undemocratic governance’ is misleading. Nahid Islam, the convener of the new party...

Bangladesh’s democracy at turning point

THE recent meeting of the National Consensus Commission, chaired by chief adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, represents a crucial step towards political reform in Bangladesh. This meeting convened leaders from six reform commissions alongside approximately 100 representatives from 27 political parties and alliances, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nagorik Committee...

A revolution betrayed?

SIX months ago, Bangladesh witnessed a historic transition — the fall of the Awami League’s 16-year autocratic rule through the July revolution of 2024 and the formation of an interim government. The expectations from this government were immense, shaped by the sacrifices of the people who braved bullets, repression, and state-sponsored violence to restore...

Reforming media

BANGLADESH’S media sector has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decades. The expansion in the number of outlets and the diversification of platforms reflect the vibrancy of this sector, which serves as a crucial pillar of democracy and development. However, this growth has not come without challenges. From restrictive legal frameworks...

BOAT ADRIFT: AL’s journey through power and paradox – III

HASINA’S return to power in 2008 was not just the return of a leader; it was the return of something darker, more insidious. As the caretaker government retreated quietly, she swiftly reasserted control over every arm of the state, her will bending institutions like pliable clay. The dream of democracy, nurtured with such care in the days following the...

Bangladesh urged to disband RAB, work on reforms to restore democracy

Interim government of Bangladesh needs to work on long-term systemic reforms to address issues like arbitrary arrests, reprisal violence, enforced disappearance and extra-judicial killings and to restore democracy in the country, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Tuesday...

Exeunt, the man from Scranton

WHEN a president has failed as miserably as Joe Biden, you have to change the subject. You have to distract the public...

Dealing with national debt

CONSTITUTION REFORM PROPOSALS: Change in state’s name recommended

The Constitution Reform Commission has recommended the substitution of ‘equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism and democracy’ for ‘nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism’ as the fundamental principles of the state...

DEMOCRACY’S SUSTAINABILITY: Vibrant political culture is essential

BANGLADESH’S democracy is at risk as it seeks to reform state agencies before holding a national election to establish a sustainable democracy. While the interim government prioritises agency reforms over the election, law and order and non-violent political environment rapidly deteriorate. A strong political culture is essential for ensuring...

Integrated approach for democracy

ABRAHAM Lincoln’s famous words, ‘Democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,’ encapsulate its core principles. Democracy is essential for advancing human rights, fostering peace, and ensuring individual security. It stresses the importance of the rule of law, promoting international peace, security and economic and...

Tarique calls for struggle to regain ‘lost democracy’

Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman has urged people to play a leading role in the struggle to regain the ‘lost democracy and voting rights’ in the country...

Manmohan Singh: technocrat who became India’s accidental PM

Manmohan Singh’s father may have believed his bookworm son would one day lead India, but the understated technocrat with the trademark blue turban, who died Thursday at the age of 92, never dreamed it would actually happen.

Electoral Process: From manipulation to transparency

NATIONAL elections play a pivotal role in shaping the political, economic, and social direction of a country, serving as the cornerstone of democracy and the foundation for governance, stability and public accountability. They empower citizens to exercise their right to vote, enabling the collective voice of the populace to determine leadership and...

Odhikar gets Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award

Odhikar, a Bangladeshi human rights group, on Tuesday won the 19th prestigious Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award for its rights advocacy in the South Asian nation...

Reimagining reform: civic engagement

THE July uprising of 2024 marked a pivotal turning point in our nation’s history, a moment when people collectively voiced their frustrations against systemic inequalities, unresponsive governance, and widespread corruption. The events of that revolutionary monsoon were not just an eruption of anger but a call for meaningful change and societal reform. At its core, the uprising highlighted the power...

Odhikar wins Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award

Bangladesh’s human rights organisation Odhikar was announced as an awardee of the 2024 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award on Wednesday, according to a press release by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy...

Chief adviser Yunus urges US Republican Party leaders to visit Bangladesh

Bangladesh's interim government chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged top Republican Party leaders to visit Bangladesh to witness the Interim Government’s efforts to restore democracy in the country, says a press release.

Of bayonets, digital shackles and free speech

FREEDOM of speech, that most glorious of ideals, once envisioned as the beating heart of democracy, has devolved into a tragicomedy in many parts of the world. In some nations, it is a grand performance piece — hailed with great fanfare but existing only as a figment of collective imagination. Others prefer a more Kafkaesque approach...

Voting machines and democracy

THE demand for free, fair and transparent elections has become pronounced. The issue is reflected in a decision of the interim government to form the election commission reforms committee. Tasked with revamping the election commission to enhance its independence, transparency and public trust, the committee work represents a critical step...

Strengthening democracy and democratic governance

BANGLADESH emerged as an independent nation in 1971 with a democratic beginning, but unfortunately it did not have smooth sailing. In the past 50 years, Bangladesh experienced...

Noor Hossain Day today

Noor Hossain Day will be observed today commemorating the sacrifice of the young campaigner for democracy who was gunned down by the police at Zero Point in Dhaka on November 10, 1987.

Interim govt would hold election at appropriate time: BNP

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Thursday hoped that the interim government would be able to hold the next general election at an appropriate time.