United News of Bangladesh

Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain on Sunday said the labour law enacted under the interim government is the best Bangladesh has ever had, compared to all previous labour laws in the country’s history. “Considering all labour laws in Bangladesh’s history, it was not possible to have a better law than the one enacted during the interim government,” he said. Speaking at a programme organised by the Citizen’s Platform at city’s Agargaon, Sakhawat said major changes were brought to the Bangladesh Labour Act based on the recommendations of the Labour Reform Commission. “While there may be frustration over other reform commissions, we have introduced significant changes to the Labour Act following the labour reform commission’s recommendations. This law can truly be described as worker-friendly,” he said. Sakhawat said conflict of interest had long been a major obstacle to formulating a strong labour law, adding that although the law could have been improved further, the newly enacted law is the best possible within the limited time. The adviser said business leaders had accused him of prioritising workers alone. “That allegation is true. This labour law has been prepared keeping workers’ rights in mind. Chief Adviser gave me full freedom in drafting this law,” he said. The adviser said the International Labour Organization (ILO) has praised the new labour law, describing it as an ‘eye-opening law’. “The ILO said they never expected such a strong labour law from Bangladesh.” Expressing frustration over the state of public administration, Sakhawat said nearly every ministry is facing severe institutional collapse and has yet to fully recover. “In the few months I have worked across different ministries, I found all of them in a collapsed administrative state. Massive misappropriation of public funds takes place here. Being part of the cabinet, there are many things I want to say but cannot,” he said. The adviser expressed optimism that reforms initiated during the interim government’s tenure would be completed by an elected government. “When the interim government assumed office, the country was in a shattered state. It was not possible for this government to fix everything under such circumstances—this limitation cannot be denied,” he added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday summoned the Indian High Commissioner to convey the government of Bangladesh’s serious concern to the government of India over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The ministry expressed its objection over India allowing fugitive Sheikh Hasina to continue making incendiary statements, urging her supporters to engage in ‘terrorist’ activities in Bangladesh with the aim of disrupting the upcoming national election. Bangladesh reiterated her call for the expeditious extradition of Sheikh Hasina and former minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to face the sentences handed down by the judicial authorities in Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam summoned High Commissioner Pranay Verma at State Guest House Padma, a senior official at the ministry told UNB. The ministry also drew the attention of the envoy to anti-Bangladesh activities by fugitive Awami League members staying in India, including planning, organising and helping to carry out terrorist activities inside Bangladesh in order to hinder the upcoming elections. The Indian government was called upon to expeditiously act to end the criminal actions by these fascist terrorists and extradite them to Bangladesh as soon as possible, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bangladesh sought India’s cooperation in preventing the escape to India of the suspects involved in the recent attempted assassination of Bangladeshi political leader Sharif Osman Hadi and, in case they manage to enter into Indian territory, to ensure their immediate apprehension and extradition to Bangladesh. The Ministry emphasised that as a neighbour, India is expected to stand with the people of Bangladesh in upholding justice and safeguarding democratic processes. The High Commissioner of India emphasised that India looked forward to peaceful elections in Bangladesh and expressed his country’s readiness to extend all cooperation in this regard. Police have already identified the attackers and their associates in the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, the spokesperson of the Inquilab Moncho and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency. Intensive operations by law enforcement agencies are continuing to arrest them, said the interim government. The motorcycle used in the attack has already been seized and the fingerprints of the suspects are being checked. To prevent the main suspect from crossing the border, photos and other information of the suspects were provided to all immigration check posts on Friday night. Patrols of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and RAB have been intensified in the border area. Although the location of the suspects has been identified several times within the country, it has not been possible to arrest them yet due to their repeated changes of location, the government said. Meanwhile, police have already collected the travel history of the main suspect and it shows that he has traveled to several countries in the past few years as an IT businessman. The latest information is that he traveled to Singapore on July 21. Several other suspects who may be involved in this attack have already been brought under surveillance.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday released the identities of Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed and injured in a terrorist drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Sudan’s Abyei region. The deceased peacekeepers are Corporal Md Masud Rana of the Army Service Corps from Natore; Soldier Md Mominul Islam (Bir) of Kurigram; Soldier Shamim Reza (Bir) of Rajbari; Soldier Shanta Mondol (Bir) of Kurigram; Mess Waiter Mohammad Jahangir Alam of Kishoreganj; and Laundry Worker Md Sabuj Mia of Gaibandha. Those injured are Lt Col Khondkar Khalekuzzaman, of the Ordnance Corps from Kushtia; Sergeant Md Mostakim Hossain (Bir) of Dinajpur; Corporal Afroza Parvin Iti of Signals from Dhaka; Lance Corporal Mohibul Islam of EME from Barguna; Soldier Md Mezbaul Kabir (Bir) of Kurigram; Soldier Umme Hani Akter of Engineering from Rangpur; Soldier Chumki Akter of Ordnance from Manikganj; and Soldier Md Manajir Ahsan (Bir) of Noakhali. The attack took place at the Kadugli Logistic Base under the UN peacekeeping mission between 3:40pm and 3:50pm (local time) on Saturday. According to the ISPR, a separatist armed group targeted the base by drones while Bangladeshi peacekeepers were on duty. The injured are receiving treatment while Mezbaul underwent a surgery and remains under close observation, according to the ISPR.  The rest of the injured were airlifted for advanced medical care and they are out of danger. Condemning the ‘heinous terrorist attack’ strongly, the Bangladesh Army said the sacrifice of the fallen peacekeepers would remain a proud testament to Bangladesh’s commitment to global peace. It also expressed deep condolences for the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly denounced the “horrific” drone attacks on a UN base in Sudan that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured eight others. He expressed his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Bangladesh as well as to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. “Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians,” Guterres said in a statement. “Attacks as the one today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability.” The drone strikes targeted the UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, killing six and injuring eight peacekeepers, all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, known as UNISFA. The oil-rich Abyei region lies between Sudan and South Sudan and has remained disputed since the two countries separated in 2011. Kadugli is the capital of South Kordofan state, where intense fighting has continued between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who have been locked in conflict for nearly three years. The Secretary-General also voiced solidarity with peacekeepers serving in high-risk missions worldwide. “I reiterate my call on the warring parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process,” he said. In a separate social media post, the head of UN Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said he was “shocked by today’s horrific drone attack” and stressed that “UN peacekeepers are not a target,” adding that “this attack may constitute a war crime.” UNISFA was set up in 2011, with a mandate that includes strengthening the Abyei Police Service, monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces, supporting humanitarian assistance, and protecting civilians. Nearly 4,000 military and police personnel, along with civilian staff, are currently serving with the mission.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman on Sunday said politicians and bureaucrats have failed to draw lessons from the July 2024 mass uprising. “Although the interim government formed several task forces, including six major commissions, with the aim of reforms, the key reforms could not be implemented due to bureaucrats. The first instance of mob violence in Bangladesh after July was created by bureaucrats at the Secretariat — within a week of the previous government’s fall, a mob situation emerged at the Secretariat at their behest. They are controlling everything,” he said. Iftekharuzzaman was speaking at an event organised by the Citizen’s Platform at city’s Agargaon. Iftekharuzzaman, who also heads the Anti-Corruption Reforms Commission, said the government has considered only three of the 47 recommendations submitted by him and the commission, while the fate of the remaining proposals remains unknown. “We proposed publishing the Anti-Corruption Commission’s report every six months, which would have enhanced transparency and accountability. But under pressure from bureaucrats, this proposal was not accepted. Most proposals capable of bringing reforms were dropped in this manner,” he said. Speaking on the Human Rights Commission ordinance, he said the government moved in the opposite direction of the recommendations made by the commission, adding that the ordinance has now become hostage to bureaucratic control. Politicians also face growing security concerns alongside citizens: Debapriya “Bangladesh was on the verge of getting a near-international-standard human rights law. But the entire process was ruined solely due to the mindset of bureaucrats,” he said. Alleging that the interim government resorted to secrecy over publishing the draft ordinance, Iftekharuzzaman said, “The government was repeatedly pressured to disclose the draft ordinance. But so far, it has not made any progress on the recommendations.” He also expressed concern that the Police Reform Commission may never see the light of day, citing the composition of the commission with several retired police officials and bureaucrats as a major reason. “I am an optimistic person. But it is not possible for us to besiege the Secretariat even if we want to. July was a major opportunity for positive change — but we failed to utilise it,” he added.

Industries and Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan on Sunday said the government would resist what he termed ‘remaining fascist forces’ in the country at any cost. He made the remarks at his office at the Local Government Ministry in the Secretariat on his first working day after assuming his new responsibilities. Replying to a question about the political environment ahead of the upcoming elections and the prospects of ensuring a fair atmosphere, Adilur said, “We will suppress the remaining fascist forces in the country and resist them. This government will stand by the July revolution fighters to protect the interests of the people of Bangladesh.” Speaking about his ministry’s activities ahead of the polls, he said there was a limited scope for undertaking major initiatives as the election schedule had already been announced. “Other than routine work, there is not much scope for new initiatives. We will try to carry out day-to-day activities and ensure that people receive the services they are entitled to,” he added. Asked about his plans after taking charge from the previous adviser, Adilur said discussions would be held with all concerned before deciding on future steps. “We will sit together, discuss matters and then decide the way forward. The two ministries have been operating in a certain manner, and we will try to continue that process,” he said. When asked about the shooting of an aspiring election candidate following the announcement of the election schedule, the adviser declined to comment.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the ‘conspiratorial fundamental changes’ to the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025. The process of forming the Commission under bureaucratic control has completely destroyed the possibility that had emerged for constituting the Commission independently of government influence, it said in a statement on Saturday. The organisation cited the fact that stakeholders involved in drafting the ordinance were kept in the dark, which illustrates how bureaucratic rigidity and even sabotage are holding the long-anticipated reform process hostage. The Cabinet Secretary was included on the Selection Committee solely to confirm government control of the process by maintaining authoritarian practices, said TIB. The organisation described these developments as embarrassing examples of the government’s surrender to bureaucrats with anti-reform interests. TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “After the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance was published in gazette form, TIB and other stakeholders—despite identifying several weaknesses—had hoped that an opportunity had emerged to free the Commission from bureaucratic capture and to constitute it in line with public expectations and international standards. However, within just one month, on 9 December, the very Selection Committee that could have served as the cornerstone for preventing bureaucratic abuse of power has been transformed into an instrument of government control. The Human Rights Commission and other commissions in Bangladesh have long been ineffective due to government influence, and this change in the Selection Committee is essentially not an isolated incident but rather an example of a conspiratorial attempt to maintain the same process.” Describing this bureaucratic takeover of the Selection Committee—and the government’s acquiescence to it—as deeply disappointing, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that the amendment includes a commendable provision to establish a National Preventive Mechanism to prevent cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The inclusion of the Cabinet Secretary in the Selection Committee alone effectively undermines all prospects of the independence, impartiality, and effectiveness of the National Human Rights Commission and the very spirit of that provision. Dr. Zaman said replacing the obligation to inform the Commission of actions taken in cases of non-compliance with its orders with permissive wording such as “may be informed,” along with the addition of several similar provisions, has trampled all the positive potential that the ordinance was expected to deliver. TIB calls for election manifesto commitments to curb the misuse of powers and religion in politics TIB calls upon the government to immediately withdraw from this embarrassing position of surrender to a ‘sabotage-driven, anti-reform bureaucratic clique’ to repeal all imposed provisions in the ordinance—particularly the decision to include the Cabinet Secretary in the Selection Committee—and to completely overhaul the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance anew. It may be noted that Ordinance No. 62 for the formation of the National Human Rights Commission, which was published in the Gazette on 9 November 2025, did not include any representative of the bureaucracy in the Selection Committee as stipulated in Article 7. This demonstrated the government's and all stakeholders’ common understanding of the long-standing, difficult interaction with the National Human Rights Commission's inefficiency. However, in the subsequently amended Ordinance No. 74, published in the Gazette on 8 December, the Cabinet Secretary was unilaterally included in the Selection Committee—without informing any of the stakeholders involved in the drafting process—solely to ensure bureaucratic dominance over the committee, it added.

Government officials and employees staying outside their respective voter areas will be able to register for postal voting for the upcoming election till December 25, the Election Commission (EC) said on Sunday. Director (PR) of the Election Commission Ruhul Amin Mollik said that all government officials and employees residing outside their voter constituencies, along with civilian and military personnel engaged in election duties can complete registration through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app. The registration will remain open every say from 8am to 8pm until December 25 for participation in the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, he said. Mollik said the ‘In-Country Postal Vote’ (ICPV) system will also apply to election-duty officials and employees, government servants posted outside their constituencies and voters currently under lawful custody. All eligible voters under these categories must complete registration on the app within the stipulated time-frame to cast their votes, he informed. The EC official added that officers and employees working across all government ministries, divisions, and their subordinate agencies, directorates, and departments are being encouraged to participate in voting through the IT-supported postal ballot system. Mollik noted that government officials and employees will be identified using the iBAS++ system, which remains inactive from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am. The registration, therefore, must be completed outside those hours, he said. Postal voter registration for govt staff open until Dec 25 On December 11 last, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and a referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025 simultaneously on February 12 (Thursday) in 2026. Though the postal balloting system has been in the laws for a long time, it was never practised in the previous elections. This is the first time the EC has introduced an IT-supported hybrid postal balloting system, enabling expatriates, government staff, polling personnel, and the persons who will be in the legal custody to exercise their franchise through a combination of digital registration and manual voting. As of 1:45 pm on Sunday, a total of 373,971 expatriate Bangladeshi voters from different countries across the world registered through a mobile app, ‘Postal Vote Bd’ since November 18 last to vote in the upcoming election. The out-of-country voting (OCV) registration process will continue till December 25.

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the attack on ‘July Rebels’ activist Md Rezaowan. The arrestees were identified as Md Masum and Md Fahim Khan. Some unidentified people attacked Rezaowan at Sector 6 of Uttara around 7:30pm on Saturday, leaving him critically injured, Md Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said. DMP intensifies drive to arrest attackers of Hadi Later, he was taken to a nearby private hospital for necessary treatment. Following the attack, police conducted operations across Dhaka and arrested the duo from Dakshinkhan area early Sunday. Efforts are on to arrest the rest of the accused, he added.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has identified the motorbike used in the gun attack on Inquilab Moncho spokesperson and Dhaka-8 election candidate Osman Hadi and detained its registered owner from the Mohammadpur area of the capital. Tipped off, a special team of RAB-2 conducted a drive in Mohammadpur area in the early hours of Sunday (December 14, 2025) and detained Abdul Hannan, said RAB Headquarters’ Deputy Director (Media) Major Mohammad Lutful Hadi. Read more: NBR freezes bank accounts of Hadi’s suspected attacker Masud and his firm After detention, motorbike owner Abdul Hannan was handed over to Paltan Police Station for further legal proceedings, he said. Major Lutful Hadi said interrogation is underway to identify those directly involved in the attack and to uncover the motive. Osman Hadi was shot by assailants in the capital's Bijoynagar area on Friday noon, triggering widespread concern and condemnation. Read more: NBR freezes bank accounts of Hadi’s suspected attacker Masud and his firm Law enforcement agencies including police and RAB have been conducting drives to identify and arrest those involved in the attack.