United News of Bangladesh

A high-level dialogue held in Dhaka on Sunday urged political parties to prioritise women’s and children’s rights in their election manifestos. Seven leading national and international organisations attended the event. Organised under the banner of the Coalition for Equality and Justice, the event convened political leaders, civil society representatives, development practitioners and members of the media for a collective push toward a more inclusive national agenda ahead of the upcoming National Parliament Election. During the event, the coalition formally handed over its proposed position paper on women’s and children’s rights to representatives of political parties, urging its integration into their electoral commitments. The dialogue forms part of the coalition’s wider effort to strengthen collaboration between civil society and political actors, emphasising that political commitments must translate into concrete policy action and sustained investment to ensure a fairer, more resilient and inclusive future for women and children in Bangladesh. The coalition comprising Manusher Jonno Foundation, Breaking the Silence, JAAGO Foundation, Save the Children in Bangladesh, WaterAid Bangladesh, Plan International Bangladesh and Oxfam in Bangladesh was established to ensure that the lived experiences, needs and aspirations of women and children are meaningfully reflected in political agendas. Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said that Bangladesh has made notable progress in areas such as gender parity in primary education, maternal and child health, and poverty reduction. However, without sustained political commitment and Senior management representatives from Oxfam in Bangladesh, Save the Children in Bangladesh, WaterAid Bangladesh, Breaking the Silence, Plan International Bangladesh and the JAAGO Foundation shared their reflections, highlighting the growing challenges faced by women and children as a result of climate shocks, economic pressures, shrinking civic space and entrenched social norms. They called for stronger enforcement of laws, increased investment in public services, expanded social protection for marginalised families and enhanced accountability mechanisms to ensure that commitments translate into tangible change. The speakers emphasised that political parties must adopt rights-based, evidence-driven approaches and place women and children at the centre of national development priorities.

More than 500 underprivileged and needy people received free medical consultation and healthcare services at a daylong medical camp organised by Emadia Foundation in Syedpur of Nilphamari district on Sunday. The camp was held at Hatikhana Khanqah-e-Emadia in Syedpur, where patients were provided with free diagnosis, specialist consultation and primary treatment from morning to afternoon. Dhaka Division Health Director Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam inaugurated the programme, while Syed Shah Mujibul Haque Emadi Al Azhari presided over the event. Among the special guests were Brigadier General Md Nazmul Haque, Rangpur Division Health Director Dr Gausul Azim Chowdhury, Nilphamari Civil Surgeon Dr Md Abdur Razzak, and Member Secretary of National Health Alliance Dr Md Abdul Ahad.

The authorities of Dhaka University (DU) have erased images of individuals convicted of war crimes that were painted at Jagannath Hall on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, students alleged. To commemorate the martyred intellectuals of the 1971 Liberation War, the Jagannath Hall Students’ Union organised a programme titled “Tuli’r Anchore Droho” (Defiance Through Brushstrokes) last night. As part of the programme, students painted images of convicted war criminals Ghulam Azam, Matiur Rahman Nizami, and Abdul Quader Molla - all senior leaders of Jamaat e Islami in independent Bangladesh at the time of their convictions- on the road in front of the hall’s Rabindra Bhaban. However, according to students and organisers, the images were erased on Sunday morning on the instructions of the university administration. Speaking about the incident, Jagannath Hall Union Vice President Pallab Barman said that the programme was organised to remember the martyred intellectuals and to express students’ anger against the Razakars. “But the administration erased the painted caricatures without informing us. We have not received any explanation so far,” he added. Attempts to contact Jagannath Hall Provost Debashish Pal and DU Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed for comments were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to phone calls.

At least 258 factories shut down over the past year, leaving more than 100,000 workers unemployed and heightening social and economic risks, according to a report by the Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA). Amrin Hossain Annie, Gender Officer of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha, presented the findings at a dialogue titled “Actions Needed amid Technological Transition, Climate Change and Existing Labour Conditions” held at the National Press Club on Sunday. Presided over by labour leader Abul Hossain, the function was addressed, among others, by economist Prof MM Akash, Joint convenor of Sramik Karamchari Oikya Parishad Abdul Quader Howlader, President of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad Fouzia Moslem and Bangladesh Representative of AFWA Arifur Rahman. Speakers said the combined impact of technological transformation, climate change and fragile labour conditions had pushed the garment sector into a more complex and uncertain reality. They stressed the need for a coordinated roadmap integrating technology, climate resilience and labour rights to overcome the ongoing crisis. Amrin Hossain Annie said there was a clear disparity between the total profits generated by the garment industry and the wages received by workers. Despite Bangladesh’s critical position in the global supply chain, workers’ wages have yet to reach a living standard, she noted. Production costs and international competition are often shifted onto workers, limiting improvements in their quality of life. Currently, nearly four million workers are employed in the garment sector, more than 60 percent of them women. While women’s participation in the workforce is a major achievement for economic development, their access to safe employment, gender-sensitive workplaces and decision-making processes remains limited. Political instability, declining buyer confidence, export market competition, power and energy shortages, and the global economic slowdown have further deepened uncertainty in the sector, she added. Economist Professor MM Akash said resolving the crisis required coordinated action, including the declaration and enforcement of a humane, living national minimum wage. No worker’s wage should fall below the poverty line, he said, calling for rationing systems, training centres and the right to form trade unions across all sectors. He urged labour organisations to unite on a common platform to strengthen workers’ solidarity. In his closing remarks, labour leader Abul Hossain said resolving the industry’s problems required the participation of all stakeholders, including workers, owners and the government. He emphasised the need to address low wages and wage discrimination and to ensure healthy and safe working conditions in factories.  

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid, now in Riyadh, on Sunday said they must reject every incitement to hatred, including across digital platforms and stand against violence, intolerance and discrimination. "Keeping this in mind, let us promote the values of unity, illuminate the path of understanding, celebrate the beauty of diversity and uphold our shared humanity," he said while speaking at the 11th Global Forum of UNAOC. Adviser Hossain said they must empower youth, foster intergenerational dialogue and place young people at the heart of global efforts to champion respect across civilizations, cultures and beliefs. "We must invest in inclusive education that nurtures peace, tolerance and cohesion," he said, highlighting the importance of expanding cultural exchanges, arts, sports and responsible media to build empathy and trust. The Adviser also said they must uphold justice and ensure accountability for victims of forced displacement caused by ethnic discrimination. The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is hosting the two-day Forum. The Adviser, who reached Riyadh on Saturday, is expected to return home on Tuesday, a senior at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. Adviser Hossain also expressed their appreciation to the governments of Spain and Türkiye, Group of Friends of the Alliance and the High Representative for their forward-looking leadership. "Peace is the ultimate destination of UNAOC," he said, mentioning that Bangladesh is one of the leading troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations. "In line with our commitment to global peace, we strongly condemn yesterday's cowardly attack on the UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, which tragically claimed the lives of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and left several others injured," Adviser Hossain said. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that they live in a world where conflicts continue to surge, and humanitarian crises deepen, he said. "Shadows of xenophobia, intolerance, racism and Islamophobia stretch across continents. Persecution and displacement based on ethnicity or religion wound our collective conscience," saif the ForeignAffairsAdviser. At the same time, he said, division is travelling faster than ever in this digital age, misinformation, hate speech and deep fakes threaten peace and corrode their shared humanity. Against this backdrop, he said, Bangladesh proudly aligns with the Group of Friends in its steadfast commitment to intercultural and interfaith dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect. "Our annual UN resolution on the Culture of Peace demonstrates our pledge that peace rests not merely on the absence of conflict but on justice, compassion and human dignity," Hossain said. "True to this conviction, we opened our doors to over 1.2 million Rohingyas - victims of genocide in Myanmar, who must be allowed to return to their homes," he added. This Alliance has become a beacon of dialogue, where differences converge into understanding, mistrust yields to empathy and diversity becomes a source of shared strength, yet more must be done, said the Adviser.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) Abu Fazal Md Sanaullah on Saturday said law enforcement agencies are fully alert to prevent any repeat of covert attacks ahead of the upcoming national election, asserting that the electoral process will proceed on schedule despite recent security concerns. The assurance came after a special meeting held at the EC involving representatives from the Home Ministry and various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to review the law and order situation since the election schedule was announced. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Sanaullah said the discussion particularly focused on the recent “covert and targeted attack” on Inquilab Manch spokesperson and independent Dhaka-8 aspirant Sharif Osman Hadi, which has raised serious concerns among political actors and voters alike. “While details cannot be disclosed for the sake of investigation, several important aspects have emerged,” he said, adding that the suspected attacker had gradually gained close proximity to the victim and has a past involving political violence and criminal records. The EC was informed that a significant number of previously arrested militants and criminals have been released on bail over time and are currently active in society, posing renewed security challenges. “This issue has been taken seriously, and we discussed what further measures are required,” he also said. The Election Commissioner said the meeting also examined whether the attack was an isolated incident or part of a larger coordinated plan, and whether there were any gaps or failures in preventive intelligence or operational responses. Participants further discussed recent attempts to set fire to two upazila-level election offices, which failed but were captured on CCTV footage. These incidents, the EC noted, indicate the possible involvement of individual or splinter actors attempting covert sabotage. “To ensure deterrence, we have stressed the need for increased checkpoints, restrictions on the movement of known criminals, recovery of illegal arms and ammunition, and intensified intelligence coordination,” the official said. Law enforcement agencies informed the commission that the second phase of the ‘Rebel Hunt’ operation resumed on Friday and is being carried out in a coordinated manner. Special emphasis has been placed on intelligence-sharing, border areas—particularly the southeast—and Rohingya-inhabited regions to assess any linkage with broader destabilisation attempts. The EC said cyber security units are already operational using existing national cyber infrastructure, with a dedicated coordination cell formed at the commission to monitor election-related disinformation and online threats. Responding to questions on whether the attack could create fear among candidates and voters, the EC official said, “That is precisely the intention behind such acts. But today’s meeting was meant to defeat that objective. These attempts will not be allowed to succeed.” Regarding a recent comment by the Home Adviser suggesting licensed firearms could be issued to candidates, the EC said no such discussion had taken place with the commission so far and the matter would be reviewed once official clarification is received. The EC also confirmed that three individuals have already been arrested in connection with the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, while further details remain confidential due to ongoing investigations. On election code of conduct enforcement, the commission said returning officers and executive magistrates are already active in the field to remove illegal posters and banners following the expiry of the 48-hour deadline. EC Sanaullah reiterated that while it is impossible to eliminate all risks during an election, the effectiveness and responsiveness of law enforcement agencies are key. “We are satisfied with the actions taken so far, though there is scope for further strengthening,” he said. He also urged political parties and candidates to remain vigilant, warning that infiltrators may pose as allies. “This incident has shown that sabotage can come from within close circles. Preventive caution is essential.” The Election Commissioner reaffirmed that the election will be held on time, and any attempt to derail or intimidate the democratic process will be met with firm and coordinated action by the state.

Newly appointed Youth and Sports Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Sunday said action will be taken against corruption or irregularities in the Youth and Sports Ministry if there is any scope to act. “Two months is a very short time, yet I have set two priorities. One of them is to take steps against any form of corruption or irregularity if I get scope,” he told journalists during an introductory meeting with the ministry officials at its conference room at the Secretariat. Adviser Asif Nazrul was appointed to lead the Youth and Sports Ministry after the resignation of its adviser Asif Mahmud. Asif Nazrul said he was supposed to take charge on his first day with great enthusiasm and interest. “But now I could not say I am assuming responsibility with a joyful mind due to the shooting of Osman Hadi and the overall situation prevailing in the country afterward.” The adviser praised his predecessor Asif Mahmud saying he was a very successful adviser who did a lot of work, especially in the sports sector. He said the country has achieved several rare successes in sports under Asif Mahmud’s leadership that had not been achieved before. The adviser also mentioned the Youth Festival Fair as a very good programme and said he would maintain the continuity of the work done earlier while also looking into what new initiatives could be taken. He said he would try to activate stadiums outside Dhaka as well as various offices of the ministry in different districts.

The International community, including the European Union (EU), the United States, the United Kingdom and France, stood beside Bangladeshi peacekeepers and extended their condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the six Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers killed in Sudan. They prayed and hoped for a speedy recovery for the eight who were injured. The EU Delegation to Bangladesh, in a message on Sunday, extended its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the six UN peacekeepers from Bangladesh. "We wish all those injured in the attack a speedy and full recovery. The EU Delegation is grateful to Bangladesh for its invaluable contribution to UN peacekeeping, and for the courage, dedication and professionalism of Bangladeshi peacekeepers across the globe," said the EU. The US Embassy​ in Dhaka noted Bangladesh's long history of support to UN Peacekeeping Operations, and extended its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the six Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers killed in Sudan. The Embassy hoped for a speedy recovery for the eight who were injured. The British High Commission also extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the six Bangladeshi peacekeepers who tragically lost their lives in Sudan, and wished a full and swift recovery to the eight injured. "The UK remains steadfast in supporting Bangladesh's commitment to global peacekeeping," said the High Commission. The Embassy of France, in a separate message, extended its deepest condolences to the families of the six Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers who lost their lives in Sudan, and wished a swift recovery to those injured. "France stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and honors its commitment to UN peacekeeping," said the Embassy. Bangladesh strongly condemned the attack on the Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were serving under the UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan. Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers have died and eight were injured when a drone attack was carried out on a United Nations base in Abyei, Sudan. Bangladesh mourns the death of her valiant sons and expresses deep condolences to the bereaved families. At the same breath, the government and people of Bangladesh sent prayers for the healing and early recovery of those wounded. The government through its Permanent Mission to the UN in New York requested the UN to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured peacekeepers. The Bangladesh Mission in New York is in close touch with the UN and working together to extend all support to the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent there.

The 'Restoring Mobility: Artificial Limb Support' initiative, a key component of the SMILE project supported by Chevron Bangladesh, concluded successfully in Sylhet, providing life-changing prosthetic and orthotic devices to 60 beneficiaries. The closing ceremony, held at a hotel in Sylhet, marked the culmination of the intervention implemented in collaboration with the Jalalabad Disabled Rehab Centre and Hospital (JDRCH). The project specifically targeted individuals from Sylhet and Nabiganj upazilas who had long struggled with physical disabilities and lacked access to affordable rehabilitation services. The event drew high-profile attendees, underscoring the strong public-private partnership behind the effort. The Additional Secretary of Coordination & Monitoring, Energy and Mineral Resources Division Md. Abdul Mannan was present at the event as the Chief Guest. Eric M. Walker, Managing Director and President, Chevron Bangladesh; Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Director, Corporate Affairs, Chevron Bangladesh; A K M Arif Akter, Head of Social Investment, Chevron Bangladesh; Helal Hussain, Country Director, Swisscontact; and Rtn. PP Engr. Shoaib Ahmed Matin, Chairman, Board of Trustees, JDRCH, were present on the occasion. The collaboration between Chevron Bangladesh, Swisscontact, and JDRCH was hailed as a powerful model for driving resilient and inclusive community development. Impact beyond medical assistance, the chief guest, Md. Abdul Mannan, highlighted that the artificial limb support goes far beyond medical aid, emphasizing its "broader social significance." “I sincerely appreciate Chevron Bangladesh, Swisscontact and JDRCH, whose collective partnership and expertise have improved mobility, and hope for persons with disabilities, demonstrating the power of collaborative action in creating meaningful societal change," he said. Eric M. Walker echoed this sentiment, noting that nearly 80 percent of people have limited access to such specialized support. He stated, "Every step taken by these beneficiaries is a strong step toward a better tomorrow." Helal Hussain of Swisscontact stressed the economic and social empowerment achieved: "This initiative was impactful and went beyond just mobility, it enabled them to return to work, continue education, actively engage in social life, and contribute economically while fostering greater inclusion within their communities.” Restoring Dignity and Livelihoods Muhammad Imrul Kabir reiterated Chevron's long-term commitment to Bangladesh, which extends beyond energy partnership. He noted that the SMILE project supports 9 out of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, including health, education, and inclusion for people with disabilities. The most moving part of the ceremony was the heartfelt testimonies from beneficiaries, who spoke about regaining independence and returning to work, education, and household responsibilities. The provision of prosthetic devices has stabilized household incomes and boosted personal confidence, creating a positive ripple effect that strengthens families and contributes to broader socio-economic development, the release concluded. Chevron Bangladesh and Swisscontact affirmed their continued efforts to improve livelihoods through sustainable and impactful development initiatives.

Several British universities have quietly tightened or suspended admissions for students from Bangladesh and Pakistan, citing tougher Home Office rules and rising visa refusal rates, a move that is significantly narrowing access for applicants from two of the UK’s largest international student source countries. UK universities have traditionally relied heavily on international students to support their finances and sustain globally diverse campuses. Amid heightened scrutiny by immigration authorities, many institutions are, however, now limiting recruitment from what they describe as “high-risk” countries to avoid breaching visa compliance thresholds. According to a report by the Financial Times, at least nine UK universities have imposed restrictions on recruitment from certain countries following increased Home Office monitoring over alleged visa misuse. The move follows a rise in asylum claims by international students prompting Border Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle to caution that student visas ‘must not be used as a backdoor’ to permanent settlement in Britain. Several universities have already taken direct action. The University of Wolverhampton has stopped accepting undergraduate applicants from both Bangladesh and Pakistan, while the University of East London has paused recruitment from Pakistan. The Universities of Sunderland and Coventry have suspended recruitment from both countries. London Metropolitan University confirmed it halted recruitment from Bangladesh after Bangladeshi applicants accounted for 60 percent of its total visa refusals. Universities insist the decisions are driven by compliance concerns rather than discrimination. The University of Sunderland said it makes ‘no apologies’ for adopting a firm stance to ‘protect the integrity’ of the UK’s student visa system. Official data underscore the pressure universities are facing. For the year ending September 2025, visa refusal rates stood at 18 percent for Pakistani applicants and 22 percent for Bangladeshi applicants—well above the newly enforced 5 percent threshold. Together, applicants from the two countries accounted for around half of the 23,036 student visa applications rejected by the Home Office during that period. Asylum claims from Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals have also risen in recent years, with many individuals originally entering the UK on study or work visas, further intensifying government scrutiny. While universities maintain that the restrictions are necessary to safeguard their sponsor licences, critics argue the measures risk undermining the UK’s reputation as an open destination for international education and disproportionately affect students from South Asia seeking higher education opportunities in Britain.