United News of Bangladesh

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has strongly condemned the reported remarks of Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir suggesting that “crossfire” could be carried out if necessary with government permission. JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan international human rights organization registered in France and European Union Transparency Register. According to a news report cited by the organisation, the IGP made the remarks on October 26 while attending the inauguration of “Community Islamic,” the Islamic banking service of Community Bank Bangladesh PLC, in Chawkbazar, Old Dhaka. In a statement issued on Tuesday, JMBF demanded that the IGP explain his remarks, withdraw any suggestion of support for extrajudicial killings and publicly reaffirm his commitment to upholding the Constitution. Advocate Shahanur Islam, founder president of JMBF, said the remarks could deepen the fears of families whose relatives are in police custody. “His words carry authority throughout the force, and he must make clear that no officer has permission to kill outside the law,” he said. Mr. Islam said victims of crime deserved proper investigations, protection and justice, adding that killing a suspect could not deliver justice. He also demanded an independent investigation into the remarks and accountability for anyone found to have ordered, facilitated or committed an unlawful killing, regardless of rank or political protection. JMBF said Articles 31 and 32 of Bangladesh’s Constitution guarantee protection of the law and safeguard life and personal liberty against unlawful deprivation. Article 35(3) guarantees an accused person’s right to trial before an independent and impartial court or tribunal, while Article 35(5) prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The organisation said no executive instruction could override these constitutional protections and that describing a planned unlawful killing as “crossfire” could not change its legal character or excuse those responsible. It stressed that criminal allegations must be established through lawful investigations and evidence presented before a competent court. The use of force by police, it added, must remain lawful, necessary and proportionate, with intentional lethal force strictly unavoidable to protect life. JMBF said the IGP’s reported remarks required independent scrutiny, warning that they could be interpreted as a signal that unlawful violence might be acceptable with political approval. It urged the authorities to preserve and examine the complete recording, establish the precise context of the statement and determine whether any related operational instructions, preparations or actions followed. Citing Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life, and Article 7, which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, JMBF called on Bangladesh to uphold its international human rights obligations. The organisation urged the government to publicly reject extrajudicial killings, require the IGP to explain and withdraw the reported remarks, protect witnesses and preserve evidence, prevent interference in the investigation, ensure accountability where criminal responsibility is established and publish the findings. JMBF, which is committed to defending human rights, promoting social justice, and empowering marginalised communities in Bangladesh and beyond, said public confidence depended on ensuring that people could report crimes, cooperate with investigations and have relatives taken into custody without fearing that police power would be used to end a life outside the law.  

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller paid a courtesy call on BNP Acting Secretary General and Standing Committee member Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday. The meeting was held at 3pm at the BNP chairman’s office in Gulshan, according to the BNP media cell. During the meeting, the EU ambassador exchanged greetings with Rizvi and held cordial discussions on various issues, including political matters and ways to further strengthen the existing friendly relations. He also expressed hope that ongoing development activities would gain further momentum. The meeting also discussed the Rohingya crisis, local government elections and Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category. EU Political Officer Kamila Partyka, Rizvi’s personal secretary Kazi Nazrul Islam and assistant personal secretary Jahedul Alam were also present at the meeting.  

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not face mob action or any unlawful situation if she returns to the country but will have to face trial. “If she returns to the country, she will be welcomed. However, she will have to face trial through the legal process,” he said at a press briefing on the progress of various government activities at the Secretariat. Asked about speculation that Hasina might return to the country in December, the adviser said the issue has been discussed for a long time. He said that if she did not return in December, speculation might shift to June next year or the following December. The adviser said it better not to engage repeatedly in such speculation, as there is considerable conjecture surrounding her possible return. “She did not uphold justice, but we will ensure that justice is served. Let her come—we welcome her,” he said.      

Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam said the government is committed to building a modern, technology-driven and knowledge-based Bangladesh in line with the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy. “The government is working towards creating 1 million jobs in the digital sector over the next five years and transforming Bangladesh into a regional hub for information technology and artificial intelligence (AI),” he said, while addressing the ‘Bangladesh TechConnect 2026’ conference in the city. The Posts and Telecommunications Division and Huawei jointly arranged the conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. The Minister stressed the need for reliable, secure, high-speed and affordable digital connectivity throughout the country. To this end, he said it must develop modern telecommunications infrastructure, enhance digital skills, attract investment and encourage local innovation. The minister said the effective use of AI and digital technologies would play an important role in increasing productivity, creating new jobs and accelerating economic growth. At the same time, cybersecurity, personal data privacy and the responsible use of technology must be ensured, he added. Emphasising coordinated efforts by the public and private sectors, the minister said collaboration among the government, local industries and international technology partners could help build an inclusive and competitive digital economy. Jason Wu, Huawei’s president for South Asia, said the company was committed to working with the government and industry partners to develop Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure and expand the use of technology. Joint Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division Saida Afroz presented the keynote paper at the conference. Three panel discussions were held on ‘Future Technology and Connectivity’, ‘The Role of Technology in Enhancing Industrial Efficiency’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence: Global Trends, Impacts and Bangladesh’s Preparedness’. The discussions focused on the development of 5G and connectivity infrastructure, improving industrial efficiency through technology and Bangladesh’s preparedness for AI adoption. Participants also discussed the commercial potential of 5G, fixed wireless access and enterprise connectivity in sectors such as the readymade garment industry, ports, agriculture and healthcare. The speakers highlighted how cloud computing, automation, AI-based security systems and smart technologies could boost productivity, reduce operating costs and improve public service delivery. More than 500 participants, including government officials, policymakers, regulators, senior corporate executives, technology experts, entrepreneurs, academics and representatives of development partners, attended the conference.

The Green Voices project presented a set of evidence-based policy recommendations to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to support Bangladesh’s preparations for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31). The recommendations were presented to Mohammad Navid Safiullah, Additional Secretary and Head of the Climate Change Wing at MoEFCC, on 18 October 2026. Developed in collaboration with BRAC University’s Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), the recommendations aim to complement the Government of Bangladesh’s COP31 Position Paper by identifying practical measures to translate national climate priorities into effective, inclusive and measurable action. Drawing on national policy analysis, climate finance assessments and field-based evidence, the recommendations address ten interconnected priorities, including climate adaptation, climate finance, Loss and Damage, women's and young people's participation, capacity development and technology transfer. Particular attention is given to strengthening implementation and ensuring that climate policies and investments respond to the needs of communities most vulnerable to climate change. On climate adaptation, the recommendations emphasise strengthening the implementation of Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) through clearer institutional responsibilities, financing arrangements and monitoring systems. They also highlight the importance of inclusive indicators and disaggregated data to assess how adaptation interventions benefit different population groups. On climate finance, the recommendations call for more accessible, predictable and transparent financing, particularly for locally identified adaptation priorities. They highlight opportunities to improve access to international climate finance mechanisms while strengthening national and local capacities to develop, implement and monitor climate investments. The recommendations also address Loss and Damage, emphasising the need for stronger evidence and documentation of climate-related impacts, including displacement, livelihood disruption and non-economic losses. Alongside these priorities, they underscore the importance of women's leadership, meaningful youth participation, and access to appropriate technologies and technical capacities to support locally led climate action. During the meeting, Safiullah welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the relevance of practical, evidence-based recommendations to Bangladesh's preparations for COP31. The discussion provided an opportunity to exchange views on national climate priorities and explore how research and field-level perspectives could contribute to ongoing policy processes and implementation efforts. The engagement builds on Green Voices' broader efforts to connect evidence, local experiences and national policy discussions. Through research, policy dialogues, capacity development and innovation, the project promotes greater participation and leadership of women and young people in climate decision-making, while bringing the perspectives of climate-vulnerable communities into policy discussions. Green Voices: Empowering Women and Youth for Climate Action in Bangladesh is a consortium initiative supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, working with partners Bonhishikha and The Earth Society. The project also supports the Women's Climate Resilience and Adaptation Alliance (SheRAA), a network advancing women's leadership and participation in climate policy and decision-making.   As a research collaborator under Green Voices, BRAC University's C3ER contributes technical expertise in climate policy analysis and evidence generation, helping connect national policy priorities with practical implementation needs. Through this collaboration, Green Voices seeks to contribute to Bangladesh's climate policy processes by bringing together research, practical recommendations and the perspectives of communities facing the impacts of climate change, ahead of COP31 and beyond.

A tribunal in Jamalpur on Tuesday sentenced a man to death for killing his wife over dowry in 2015. Judge of the Jamalpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 Muhammad Abdur Rahim handed down the punishment. The condemned convict is Md Jony, 35, son of Yakub Ali of Lahirikanda village in Sadar upazila of the district. He was tried in absentia. The tribunal also fined him Tk 5 lakh. According to the prosecution, Jony married Toma, daughter of Abdul Hamid of Darihamidpur village in the upazila, in 2014. Four months after their marriage, Jony went to his father-in-law's house and demanded Tk 2.50 lakh to buy an auto-rickshaw. As his father-in-law failed to meet the demand, Jony took his wife to his own house. On March 19, 2015, an altercation was ensued between Jony and his wife when she asked him to go to the kitchen market. At one stage, Jony beat his wife mercilessly and strangled her to death after locking her in a room. He later fled the scene through a window. On March 20, a case was filed with Sadar Police Station against four people, including Jony. Police later submitted a charge sheet against the four accused. One of the accused died during the trial. After examining records and witness, the tribunal acquitted the other two accused as the allegations against them could not be proved.  

The July Museum has launched a special service providing free wheelchair access to visitors with special needs. The service, which became operational on Tuesday morning, allows physically challenged visitors to access wheelchairs directly from the museum’s main entrance. The museum has ensured that its infrastructure and exhibition halls are designed with barrier-free, wheelchair-friendly pathways to facilitate easy movement. Under the new arrangement, visitors accompanied by family members or relatives can operate the wheelchairs themselves to tour the facility. For those arriving alone, the museum has assigned trained volunteers to guide them and provide necessary assistance throughout their visit. "The July Museum is a place of memory and sentiment for every citizen of this country," said Director General Ehasan Mahamud. "With the objective of ensuring that no physical limitation becomes a barrier to learning history and visiting the museum, we have added this special service. Alongside family members, our volunteers will be ready so that any visitor can explore the entire museum without any hassle. We want to build the July Museum as a completely inclusive and open institution for all," he said. Visitors or their families can instantly avail of this service by contacting the museum's main gate upon arrival.  

Bangladesh’s dengue death toll has reached 400 this year after 11 more people died of the mosquito-borne disease in the 24 hours till Tuesday morning, the highest single-day toll recorded so far this year. Besides,  2,071 new cases have taken the total number of infections to 128,237, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of the deaths, six were reported in Khulna division, three in Dhaka division and one each in Chattogram and Rajshahi divisions, it said. Earlier, the country recorded 10 deaths from dengue on October 6 and October 15 respectively. Currently, 6,415 patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Dhaka and outside Dhaka. Since January 1, a total of 128,237 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 121,422 have recovered.  

Dr Zubaida Rahman, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s wife and renowned cardiologist, on Tuesday urged the Sasakawa Peace Foundation to expand its cooperation with Bangladesh in the healthcare sector, particularly health research, maternal and child health, and modern medical infrastructure. She made the call while speaking at a health-related seminar organised by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo. Zubaida said the Bangladesh government has identified healthcare, education and social protection as key policy priorities and has taken various initiatives to ensure affordable healthcare for all, improve the quality of public healthcare, recruit healthcare professionals and expand access to health and education services for disadvantaged communities. The government is also working to improve people’s quality of life through employment-oriented education, expanded educational opportunities for disadvantaged students and family-based social assistance programmes, including the Family Card initiative, she said. Referring to health as an important area of her professional and personal interest, Zubaida said ensuring people’s physical and mental well-being is crucial. Bangladesh-Japan bilateral relations continue to grow, and there is scope to use the two countries’ experience, knowledge and capabilities to address emerging challenges in the health and social sectors, she said. Zubaida said both Bangladesh and Japan are committed to ensuring that children grow up in a healthy environment and have opportunities to reach their full potential. Achieving this goal requires sustainable social systems, a strong economy, quality education and protection of people from violence, poverty and other risks, she said.  

The BNP fought against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings over the past 17 years and will not backtrack on that position after forming the government, Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said, adding that the Prime Minister will take the final decision about the Inspector General of Police over his crossfire remarks. “If a state or government kills someone extrajudicially, it ceases to function as a state and behaves like a thug,” Zahed said while speaking at a press briefing on the progress of various government activities at the Secretariat. No democratic government can support extrajudicial killings, he said, stressing that the state must arrest criminals and hand them over to the judicial system for trial. “Anyone can commit murder. A state becomes a state when it exercises the authority to deliver justice,” he added. A death sentence can be imposed through judicial proceedings, but extrajudicial killing can never be an act of the state, the adviser said, adding that the state can arrest an accused person and hand them over to the judiciary exercising the executive authority and laws can be amended, if necessary, but there can be no scope for extrajudicial killings. He said the government has no intention of remaining in power after its five-year term through night-time voting or dummy elections. “It will, therefore, avoid any action that can damage its credibility, as incidents such as extrajudicial killings will undermine public confidence in the government.” Asked about IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir’s remarks that crossfire operations could be carried out if the government gives permission, Zahed said he believed the police chief retreated from his earlier position in subsequent remarks. “He also stepped back from serious allegations he made about journalists in general,” he said, adding that he thought the issue should now be put to rest. Asked whether the IGP should be allowed to remain in office even after clarifying his remarks, he said the matter is for journalists to assess. The adviser said he felt the situation would have been problematic had the police chief continued to stand by his earlier statement. He also stressed that government officials are not obliged to carry out illegal orders and public servants must perform their duties in accordance with the law. Zahed also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will take the final decision about the IGP after returning from the Japan visit. Responding to a question about the arrest of a woman entrepreneur in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, for regretting voting for the BNP on Facebook live, he said he did not consider the position taken by local BNP activists who protested against her remarks to be justified. Police took the woman into custody following the protests and later sent her to court under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Zahed said people have the right to express such views. “Many people in Bangladesh, including some who make offensive remarks about the Prime Minister, are expressing their opinions without facing similar action,” he said, adding that such remarks can certainly be made. He, however, said the matter is now within the jurisdiction of the judiciary, expressing hope that investigators will not treat the woman’s remarks as a criminal offence. Asked about the reported vandalism and looting of the homes of three Hindu families in Pirganj, Rangpur, the adviser said he heard that police were deployed and action was taken in this regard. He said there was a tendency among some extremist groups in Bangladesh to act aggressively. “Such tendencies increased during the interim government’s tenure, and appropriate action was not taken against such incidents in many cases,” he added. Zahed also assured that the current government will take action against such crimes. “You cannot expect to remain beyond the reach of justice under this government. I assure you of that,” he said. Members of the Hindu community also want to live safely in a liberal democratic country, he said, adding that people have expectations from political parties entrusted with governing the country, and the BNP will have to fulfil those expectations.