UNICEF, a UN agency dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of children worldwide, has said the interim government and law enforcement agencies should ensure immediate action and accountability for all reported cases of violence against children through strengthened investigation, prosecution, and judicial processes. Establishing a specialised child protection unit within law enforcement, trained in trauma-informed investigations and victim-sensitive approaches, is fundamental, said UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh Rana Flowers. Severe malnutrition among Rohingya children surge by 27%: Unicef Besides, she said, expanding and professionalising the social service workforce would provide gender-sensitive, child-centered support for survivors and their families. To secure justice for victims and survivors, independent and gender-sensitive prosecutors must be appointed to ensure timely prosecution and hold legal actors accountable for meeting the government’s 90-day case resolution target, she mentioned. The UNICEF Representative said she is "profoundly horrified" by the alarming rise in reported cases of sexual violence against children, especially girls, in Bangladesh over the last weeks. "I am especially concerned with the recent surge in horrific cases of child rape and sexual violence, including in places meant to protect and nurture children like educational institutions," Flowers said in a statement on recent cases of violence against children on Sunday. She said their hearts are especially heavy with the tragic death of the eight-year-old child from Magura a few days ago. Her death serves as a "devastating reminder" of how children, especially girls, are being subjected to grave violations of their fundamental rights and safety. Japan, Unicef sign $ 3.3mn deal to strengthen assistance for Rohingya children Sadly, Flowers said, this young girl´s death is merely one of many horrifying acts against children. According to UNICEF's monitoring, a distressing number of children have reportedly fallen victims of rape and murder in recent months. From January 2025 to March 16, media and local human rights organisations recorded approximately 50 cases of child rape. The trend seems to be getting even more worrisome - only on Monday 10 March, there were 7 children killed and 6 confirmed cases of violence. These statistics are more than just numbers; they represent shattered lives, profound trauma for survivors, and unimaginable grief for families and communities, Flowers said. These incidents have sparked deep concern across the nation, raising urgent questions about the safety and protection of children and adolescents, especially in the hands of people they trust at home and in schools. According to UNICEF estimates, 1 in 8 girls and women alive today globally experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18, and studies in Bangladesh confirm that perpetrators are often known to their victims. In response to this crisis, the UNICEF welcomed the order issued by the government to bring the perpetrators to justice immediately, while insisting on calling rape, such a heinous crime, by its rightful name. UNICEF acknowledged the interim government’s commitment to a "zero tolerance" policy against violence against women and girls. "We also commend the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for its efforts in removing harmful content from online platforms," Flowers said. However, while these measures are crucial, they must be part of a broader, sustained effort to address the root causes of violence against children, she said. To create a society where every child can grow up free from fear and violence, Flowers said, the interim government and all stakeholders need to take immediate and decisive actions to strengthen and invest in child protection systems. The media also plays a crucial role in generating a safer society for children. Authorities should enforce ethical media and child safeguarding policies to protect children’s dignity and well-being during investigations and legal proceedings. Concurrently, Flowers said, media outlets should commit to responsible reporting by safeguarding the identity, privacy, and dignity of child survivors and victims, avoiding sensationalism, and preventing further harm to victims, families and communities. And very important, she said, they need the good men of Bangladesh to stand against all forms of violence and every parent to ensure that boys and girls are raised to respect the other, not to have some false sense of entitlement to abuse. The lack of safety and security for children contributes to the persistence of child marriage and other forms of violence. "Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and protective environment, both at home and in public spaces. Child survivors must be shielded from further trauma, especially during investigations and legal proceedings," Flowers said. Survivors deserve dignity, healing and justice, she said, adding that it is essential to respect their right to privacy—by authorities, media, law enforcement, the judiciary, and the public— to support their recovery. For child victims, Flowers said, justice must be swift and uncompromising, ensuring accountability for those responsible. UNICEF urges safer, fairer future for Bangladesh’s youth; calls for ending criminalization of children "At UNICEF, we remain steadfast in our commitment to child rights and protection and stand ready to support the interim government in strengthening child protection systems and ensuring a safer Bangladesh for all children," Flowers said.

Seeking German help to implement the reform agenda of his interim government, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said the government is likely to hold the elections by the end of this year. "We need all your support for the New Bangladesh. We are working hard to make the general election a big success," he said. Bangladesh wants a special relationship with Germany in an effort to deepen trade and investment ties with Europe's largest economy, said Dr Yunus. The Chief Adviser made the comments when Zarah Bruhn, a Commissioner of the German government, met him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Wednesday. During the talks, the Chief Adviser praised the German people and the German economy, saying the country has been the leader in many areas, including heavy industries, in the world. "We have close relations with Germany. But we want to have a different relationship -- a special relationship-- with Germany," he said. Dr Yunus urges Maldives to regularise undocumented Bangladeshi expats Zarah Bruhn, who is visiting Bangladesh to learn more about social businesses and micro credit, lauded the leadership of Professor Yunus, saying Bangladesh would prosper during his tenure. "I am a big enthusiast of your work," she said, adding that she was keen to launch social businesses in Germany. They also discussed the three zero movement launched by Professor Yunus, social businesses, poverty reduction measures, and the future of the welfare state. Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and the head of the SDGs affairs of the Bangladesh government, also attended the meeting.

The interim government said the country got back "macroeconomic stabilisation" with declining inflation, growing exports and increased forex reserves but the government will continue its efforts to ensure further improvement in key areas. "These are all indicators that show that our economy has made a turnaround," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday. He said the interim government did better than Sri Lanka in terms of containing inflation. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir, and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi were also present at the briefing. The meeting between the Chief Adviser and the key persons reviewed the economy and its efforts over the last six months. "We need to do better," Press Secretary Alam quoted Dr Yunus as saying at the meeting. Dr Yunus directed all to continue efforts to take the improvement to a new height,” he said. The Press Secretary said the inflation came down to single digit and it will further decline - by June it will be 7.5 percent. Regarding the Korean EPZ, he said the dispute over land is resolved which will help bring big investors and create more employment in the country. On Monday, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus directed the police and law enforcement agencies to create a command centre to intensively monitor the law-and-order situation in the country. The Press Secretary said the Command Centre will roll out this evening which will coordinate among all the police and security agencies.

Voicing deep concern over the acts of vandalism and arson across the country, the BNP has called upon the interim government to establish control over the situation by strictly enforcing law and order. In a statement early Friday, the party also expressed its concern that if the government fails to demonstrate its ability to control the current situation, the stability of the state and government will be at risk. The statement, signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, said, “We urge the interim government to establish control over the situation. Otherwise, an anarchic situation will spread in the country. So, it is now the demand of time to enforce law and order strictly and make the role of the state and government visible." He said their party is observing with deep concern that the provocative behaviour of the defeated, fallen and fugitive autocrat and its associates has led to indecent and objectionable comments about the bloodstained student uprising of July-August, generating intense anger and resentment among the people of the country. “As a result, visible public enthusiasm was seen in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, where memories, statues, monuments, and nameplates of the fallen autocrat were torn down on Wednesday,” the BNP leader said. He said there is a public perception that the current interim government has failed to take effective and visible steps in the past six months to bring the runaway autocrat and its associates to justice. “So, people are being encouraged to engage in illegal activities like taking the law into their own hands. When a government is in place, such actions can damage its reputation both at home and abroad,” Rizvi warned. Vandalism at Dhanmondi-32 residence should strongly be condemned: India Following the student-led July uprising, he said the expectation of people was that the rule of law would be restored, which should have been the top priority for the current government. The BNP leader said the government has failed to demonstrate its capability in taking appropriate action when people from various walks of life are creating public suffering through "mob culture" on the streets in the name of various demands. He also said state assistance for the families of martyrs of the July-August student-led uprising, proper medical treatment and rehabilitation for the injured, ensuring swift justice for the disgraced fugitive autocrat and its associates, and taking effective measures to prevent the provocative activities of defeated fascists are urgent priorities. But, Rizvi said, there has been no visible or significant progress in these matters. “The administration has not yet been freed from the associates of the fallen fascist regime, fascist sympathisers are still present within the judiciary, and active anti-uprising members are still working within the police force.” In this situation, he said, there are significant doubts about whether the government will be able to fulfill the people's aspirations. The BNP leader said it is essential to control the market syndicates to alleviate the daily hardships of the people. Hasina’s “provocative remarks" fueled Dhanmondi-32 vandalism: Govt “The false and fictitious cases filed against the people of all classes and professions who participated in the sixteen-year-long democratic struggle against fascism have not yet been resolved,” he said. The BNP leader said democracy-loving citizens are still being harassed by these baseless cases filed by the fascist regime, but the government has not taken effective steps to address the issue. “Holding the aspirations of the July student uprising, ensuring the restoration of people's lost democratic rights, constitutional rights, human rights, and voting rights, the establishment of an elected political government as soon as possible is now the highest priority,” he said. Rizvi said promptly arranging an election by implementing the election-related urgent reforms should be the main mandate of the current government. But, he said, the interim government seems to be giving more attention to other matters rather than prioritising this most essential matter. “The eradication of fascism does not lie solely in the destruction or removal of the symbols of fallen fascists and autocrats, rather in the establishment of ideological politics that promote anti-fascist ideals, power and influence. Strengthening the anti-fascist public unity and practicing a culture of national unity through political cooperation is the best approach. We must all continue our efforts to spread this message among the people,” Rizvi said. A quarter may be behind Dhanmondi-32 incident: BNP's Hafizuddin He laid emphasis on controlling the current situation by demonstrating the government’s capability. Otherwise, the BNP leader feared, there is a possibility of the resurgence of extreme anarchists, anti-democratic local and foreign evil forces, along with defeated fascists. “The symptoms of which are already visible.”

The interim government has ordered an urgent investigation into the death of Touhidul Islam, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said on Saturday. Police took Touhidul to a hospital in Cumilla late Friday night with injuries allegedly caused by security forces after they arrested him from his house early on Friday morning based on complaints. The interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, absolutely condemns any form of custodial torture and murder, Azad said in a statement on behalf of the CA's press wing. Upholding human rights in every sphere of national life is a core mission of this government, which includes some of the top rights activists in the country. The government has set up several commissions to reform the country's criminal justice system. HRW hands over report to Dr Yunus, says Hasina "directly ordered" enforced disappearances, killings Most of these commissions have submitted their reports. "The interim government will hold meaningful dialogue with the political parties over these reports in an effort to eradicate every opportunity for human rights abuses in police interrogation, crime management, and judicial procedure," Azad said. The interim government is committed to implementing these reforms, he said.

The interim government on Thursday said it remains "deeply concerned" by reports of incidents of women being prevented from engaging in recreational activities, stressing that Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has been a lifelong champion of women's rights. "We specifically condemn the actions of hooligans who have forcefully disrupted girls’ football matches," Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said in a statement. Azad said women are equal citizens of Bangladesh and enjoy the same human and civil rights as men. No protest programmes by AL to be allowed: Shafiqul Alam The interim government is doing everything in its power to ensure that they enjoy their full rights as Bangladeshi citizens, he said. Anyone who imposes their restrictions on girls and women in violation of their rights will be held accountable for their actions according to the laws of Bangladesh, the government said. The interim government will take stern actions against any attempt to discriminate against or oppress any group of citizens. "The Office of the Chief Adviser has ordered district administrations in Dinajpur and Joypurhat to take the necessary steps to resume the stalled football matches," Azad said. The district administrators said that they recently organised women football, cricket, and Kabaddi match in their districts. 'Hundreds of people watched the matches, and they were appreciated by all sections of people in their districts," Azad said. Press accreditation cards to have 3-year validity; new policy soon: DPS Azad In the past one month the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus has organised one of the largest Youth Festivals in the country, which included women’s sports matches held in hundreds of rural district and sub-district towns. Thousands of girls took part in the football, cricket and Kabaddi matches, even in many remote rural districts, Azad said. Grameen Bank, which Dr Yunus founded, was more than 90 per cent owned by women. Last week, Prof Yunus met FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and sought his support to build infrastructure and facilities for women footballers in Bangladesh, Azad said.

The interim government has said they look forward to continuing to work with the United States and Bangladesh’s other friends and allies to combat efforts to manipulate the Trump administration and create divisions between countries through purely invented propaganda. "The Interim Government has complete confidence that President Trump and his team will see through this transparent effort to create friction between Bangladesh and the United States," said the Chief Adviser's press wing on Thursday. The US Department of State and its embassy in Dhaka are well aware that Professor Yunus meets with a wide variety of people, from senior government officials to leaders in business and civil society organisations, including those who are critical of Bangladesh itself, said its fact-checking wing. Kosovo’s new ambassador emphasizes advancing bilateral cooperation in first official meeting with Foreign Adviser The Organiser, a weekly in India, has launched "another salvo in the ongoing campaign of many Indian nationalists" to discredit Bangladesh’s interim government and pave the way for India’s proxy, Sheikh Hasina, to resume her despotic rule over Bangladesh, said the fact-checkers of the press wing. The Organiser’s latest canard is that the meeting between Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus and Alex Soros, president of the Open Society Foundation, constituted a challenge to President Trump, said the press wing of the CA.

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has said that their party is planning to launch a ‘movement’ to help the interim government correct its errors and pave the way for establishing a democratically elected government. "Any government can make mistakes in its decisions... the interim government may not make all decisions flawlessly... they can also make mistakes," he said while addressing a discussion on Wednesday. The Bangladesh Journalists’ Association organised the programme titled "July Mass Uprising: Mass Media and Journalism" at the Jatiya Press Club on Wednesday. Salahuddin, a BNP standing committee member, said political parties, democratic and social forces, as well as the media, have a responsibility to help the government understand its mistakes and govern the country properly by addressing them. "From that perspective, our party is considering taking swift actions to help the government fix its mistakes and get back on the right path to build a democratic road and clear the way for an elected political government...you can call that (action) as a movement or as criticism," he said. The BNP leader said that it is vital to criticise the interim government for its wrong steps and decisions in order to guide it and keep it on track. Take revenge on AL by implementing 31-point: Tarique tells BNP workers    He said many questions have arisen regarding what kind of reforms the nation wants, as well as how and when the elections should be conducted. Salahuddin also said there are questions concerning the government's success, failure, decisions, and indecision. "So, if we want this interim government to succeed, we must offer sufficient criticism to guide and direct it. We may even have to stage street protests to bring the government back on track.” He said there will be discussions and debates among the democratic forces in Bangladesh, and decisions should be made in favour of the people upholding the democratic process. "We’ll be defeated, but we’ll let the people win." The BNP leader acknowledged that one good quality of the current government is that it adjusts its actions in response to criticism. Salahuddin voiced concern over the delay in initiating the process for holding the national election, saying, “If the election is delayed, the government must justify the reasons to the people.” He observed that six months have already elapsed since the interim government assumed power. “Reform commissions have submitted their reports to the government 14-15 days ago, but no initiative has been taken yet to engage political parties, social forces and experts in discussions on the reports.” No protest programmes by AL to be allowed: Shafiqul Alam The BNP leader expressed the hope that the government would prioritise issues where consensus could be reached. Salahuddin also said that while the reform reports are well-prepared, not all issues raised are relevant or feasible within the political and social culture of Bangladesh. "Those involved in the reform commissions are also human beings... So, there is no certainty that all your statements and recommendations are 100% correct...that is why discussions are important.” He also stressed the need for fostering national unity to resist the rise of fascism. "It is essential to maintain the mass expectations created through the mass uprising and national unity must be preserved.” The BNP leader believes that the role of an interim government is crucial to prevent any division within the national unity against fascism. Salahuddin Ahmed criticised the Awami League for establishing fascism, indulging in mass killings, committing crimes against humanity and manipulating the election to stay in power. He, however, said the country's people will determine the fate of the Awami League whether it should be banned and barred from the election. Bangladesh media enjoying unprecedented freedom: Dr Yunus The BNP leader said the Awami League had committed mass killings in the country with a fascist character and crimes against humanity, based on the party’s political decisions and the instruction of its unelected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. So, the individuals and that political organisation (AL) must be brought to justice.” “There are cases in the International Crimes Tribunal and other courts for the trial of individuals. But the provision for the trial of organisations is also there in Article 47 of the Constitution…but why are we not more vocal about the trial of the organisation?” Salahuddin said. He said there was supposed to be an amendment to the International Criminal Tribunal Act for the trial of the Awami League as an organisation, but the government backed away from it. “Now, if some advisers within the government say that they want a trial of the Awami League, then no action has been taken to do so.” The BNP leader said the trial of fascist forces, murderers of democracy, perpetrators of genocide and those who have committed crimes against humanity should be conducted, and people would accept it. Salahuddin welcomed the student leaders’ initiative to form a new political party. “I respect student leaders and their aspirations,” he said, issuing a warning against using governmental power and fascist tactics to achieve political success. On constitutional reforms, he questioned the proposal to include the July mass uprising in the same paragraph as the 1971 Liberation War in the constitution's preamble. The BNP leader said equating the essence of independence with any other issues in the constitution is inappropriate.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi has reiterated Japan’s strong support for the interim government of Bangladesh and mentioned that the upcoming Parliamentary Vice Minister level visit will officially convey this message of political support. He met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday and expressed his commitment to stand firmly by the interim government to support their reform efforts and to further strengthen bilateral relations in broad areas under the “Strategic Partnership”. Dhaka seeks faster Canadian visa processing for Bangladeshi students From this perspective, the two sides cordially exchanged views on various issues, including deepening economic ties, enhancing political and security cooperation, Rohingya refugees and other bilateral cooperation agendas. The Ambassador underscored the importance of holding Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) soon and regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries, and expressed satisfaction over the ongoing negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries. The envoy informed that JICA chief is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in March this year. He also told the Foreign Adviser about the Japanese decision to provide five patrol vessels to Bangladesh for coastal area patrolling and their readiness to sign an agreement with the government to provide equipment on air pollution monitoring in Bangladesh. No discussion regarding CA’s China visit, says Foreign Adviser after his bilateral tour The Foreign Adviser thanked the government of Japan for their support for the interim government, and thanked Japan for being Bangladesh’s largest bilateral development partner and acknowledged Japan’s contribution to major development initiatives in Bangladesh. He mentioned that Bangladesh’s relationship with Japan has always been steady and Japanese investments in Bangladesh will always be secured. The Foreign Adviser thanked Japan’s continued efforts towards a durable solution for the safe, sustainable, and dignified return of Rohingyas to the Rakhine State of Myanmar. He also appreciated Japan’s humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas, including those relocated in Bhashan Char. Dr Yunus hailed as "beacon, hero, amazing image of stability" at Davos: Shafiqul Alam Mentioning that recent developments in Rakhine State adding pressure on Bangladesh, he sought Japanese support for the upcoming conference on the Rohingya crisis to be organised by Bangladesh in Doha in collaboration with the United Nations. Both sides talked about bilateral collaboration as well as mutual support in election matters in the international fora, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Adviser wished the new Japanese Ambassador a successful tenure in Bangladesh and expressed hope that the Bangladesh-Japanese relationship will reach a new height during his tenure.

BNP’s senior leader Hafizuddin Khan has said that the interim government seems to have forgotten that its main responsibility is to transfer power to the people's elected representatives through a fair election. “Most advisers of the current government do not uphold the spirit of the July-August mass uprising… It seems they have forgotten that their main responsibility is to hand over power to the public representatives through a credible election,” he said at a discussion on Sunday. The Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal organised the programme at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) on Sunday. Hafiz, a BNP standing committee member, said the current government becomes upset whenever it hears about the demand for a national election. “Is the election a misdeed or an unjust thing? We sacrificed many lives, were imprisoned repeatedly, endured immense repression, and made numerous sacrifices for the election over the last 16 years.” Exploiting the poor cannot be the rule of law in a democratic country: Moyeen Khan He said the current interim government appears to intend to stay in power for 30 years, which will not be possible. “An unelected government is weaker than an elected government.” He said their party respects the students who played a role in making the mass uprising a success, forcing the fascist Sheikh Hasina to flee the country. The BNP leader, however, said they do not expect the youth to make any comments attacking a senior politician like BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He urged the student leaders not to fear the people, rather approach them with their manifesto and programmes to rebuild the country. “We’ll welcome it if you want to form a party. But you should form the party after coming out of power. People will become dissatisfied if you do it while staying in power, and a question will arise about your neutrality,” said Hafizd. He also warned the student leaders not to tarnish their image by making derogatory remarks about other parties. “The country’s people still respect you. We also value your sacrifices and your struggle for one and a half months. But please don’t ignore the sacrifices BNP and other parties have made over the last 16 years,” he said. “The main characteristic of the interim government is impartiality. They will treat everyone equally. But please, don’t try to form a King’s Party staying in power,” the BNP leader said. BNP’s Khosru seeks impartial interim govt for national election He said Dr Muhammad Yunus is a respected person but lacks experience in running a state. “We don’t see his success. But we will support him because he is a Nobel laureate, well-known worldwide, and a qualified person to lead this government at this moment. But you (Yunus) please, don’t listen to the words of immature youth.” Hafiz urged Prof Yunus to run the country in consultation with wise and talented people in the country and political parties with experience in governance. “If you do that, the people of the country will be with you, but treat everyone equally.” He said their party wants the government to arrange a fair election promptly. “Three months are enough for whatever reforms are needed in the electoral system. So, give the people's government a chance to come to power through a fair election."