United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday said the government is committed to ensuring human rights for all citizens and will not allow anyone to be unjustly detained or imprisoned for political reasons, regardless of their political affiliation. “The government will definitely ensure that no one is unjustly imprisoned or detained due to political vendetta,” she said, stressing that the commitment applies to supporters of all political parties including the opposition and the Awami League which faces a ban on its activities. Shama Obaed made the remarks when a journalist drew her attention regarding a recent statement of Human Rights Watch (HRW). Bangladesh authorities should immediately take steps to end the prolonged pretrial detention of politicians and others linked to the deposed Awami League government, the New York-based rights body said on August 23. It said police detained thousands of party officials, activists, and supporters after Sheikh Hasina was forced to step down as prime minister in August 2024 following weeks of protests, and hundreds remain in prison without being charged with any crime.    Shama Obaed said Bangladesh witnessed unprecedented human rights violations over the past 17 years, with BNP leaders and activists among the worst affected. “The kind of human rights that have been violated in Bangladesh in the last 17 years has never been violated in the history of Bangladesh,” she said. “The biggest victim is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, its leaders and activists,” she added. Shama Obaed said the government does not want to see a return of what she described as the “fascist era” and wants minimum human rights to be guaranteed to every citizen. “We will never want the past fascist era to return now or in the future. We want all human rights - minimum human rights - to be ensured to every citizen,” she said. Referring to cases filed following the July-August events in 2024, the State Minister said the government has taken a position that allegations must be properly reviewed and that legal action should be based on evidence rather than political considerations. She said cases have been filed against people accused of killings as well as those responsible for ordering enforced disappearances and murders. “Many cases were filed with great enthusiasm. But the Law Ministry said that they would review those cases,” Shama Obaed said. “If they review the cases and do not find any truth in them, if there is no basis, they will take action accordingly,” she added. Shama Obaed said the government’s responsibility is to protect citizens’ rights and ensure that justice is not used as an instrument of political revenge. “Our government's stand is that we are trying to protect human rights. We are responsible to the people,” she said. She stressed that the government’s human rights commitment should extend to political opponents as well as its own supporters. “No party - be it the opposition party, Awami League, or any party - the current government will definitely ensure that no one is unjustly imprisoned or detained due to political vendetta,” Shama Obaed said. She said ensuring due process and protecting citizens from arbitrary detention would be essential to preventing a recurrence of past abuses and building public confidence in the country’s institutions. The State Minister Bangladesh’s current foreign policy is centred on protecting its own national interests while maintaining respectful and balanced relations with all countries. “Our foreign policy is first and foremost a ‘Bangladesh policy’... with equal rights with everyone and maintaining our own interests with respect,” she said. Shama Obaed expressed confidence that Bangladesh’s stronger political mandate would give it greater leverage in negotiations with international partners, including China. “When Bangladesh is talking, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is talking, then all the other stakeholders including China are listening to our words with more attention, more seriously,” she said. The State Minister said the present circumstances therefore offer Bangladesh a stronger negotiating position than before. “Now that Bangladesh is an elected government, we have a stronger position in our negotiation space,” Shama Obaed said.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said access to justice means ensuring human rights. “Every citizen has inalienable, inherent and universal rights, and the state has a responsibility to ensure that citizens can access justice and exercise those rights,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the opening session of a two-day coordination meeting that concluded on Sunday. The minister also highlighted the importance of digitalisation, stronger public awareness of legal rights and legal aid services, greater institutional engagement by the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid, and recognition of high-performing legal aid and judicial officers. “We are committed to reduce the backlog of cases within one year,” he said. Bangladesh is advancing efforts to make government’s legal aid services more accessible and efficient through digitalisation, said a media release issued by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Sunday.  The two-day coordination meeting brought justice sector stakeholders together at BRAC-CDM, Gazipur to support the rollout of the new Digital Legal Aid System under the “Accelerating Digital Legal Aid Services in Bangladesh” project. The meeting ended on Sunday with District and Sessions Judges from the eight districts discussing Online Dispute Resolution, committee activation, training, and legal aid data management, with particular attention to improving access for women, persons with disabilities and people living in poverty. Implemented by the DBLA under the ministry with financial support from the European Union and support from the UNDP, the project aims to modernise legal aid delivery. The new system is expected to simplify legal aid applications, case tracking, lawyer assignment, mediation, notifications and data management. The event brought together judges and legal aid officials to strengthen local legal aid mechanisms, advance digital service delivery and make justice more accessible to underserved communities. The initiative will focus on activating Upazila and Union Legal Aid Committees, improving digital case management and promoting online dispute resolution across Rajbari, Habiganj, Barguna, Netrokona, Joypurhat, Thakurgaon, Jhenaidah and Khagrachhari. A key focus of the meeting is the selection and functionalisation of 45 Upazila Legal Aid Committees and 300 Union Legal Aid Committees across the eight districts. These committees are expected to bring legal aid services closer to communities, particularly for people who face financial, geographic or social barriers in accessing formal justice institutions. The opening session was also attended by Law and Justice Division Secretary Liaquet Ali Molla, DBLA Director General Md Monjurul Hossain, Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh Baiba Zarina and Senior Rule of Law, Justice and Security Adviser at UNDP Bangladesh Romana Schweiger.          

An airstrike carried out by Russian government-controlled Africa Corps in central Mali last month killed eight civilians, including three children, Human Rights Watch said Friday. The rights group said a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft dropped two bombs on Kyrnia village in the Mopti region on June 15. According to Human Rights Watch, one of the strikes landed near the home of the village chief, killing his wife and three children. The second strike hit a nearby cattle market, killing four men. No members of the Islamic militant group JNIM, which has controlled the village for about six years, were reported among those killed, the rights group said. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims. Mali has faced violence for more than a decade from militants linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, including JNIM, as well as a Tuareg separatist rebellion in the north. The situation has worsened in recent months after JNIM and Tuareg separatists launched their biggest coordinated attacks in more than a decade. The attacks targeted the airport in the capital Bamako, the nearby military town of Kati and several cities in northern and central Mali. The attacks in April highlighted challenges facing Mali's efforts to fight the insurgency, including its growing reliance on Russia after the military-led government cut ties with former partners such as France. Russian mercenaries have been operating in Mali since late 2021 to support the military government in its fight against militants and separatists. Last year, the Russia-linked Africa Corps, which is under the country's Defense Ministry, replaced the private Wagner Group in Mali. Human Rights Watch said it interviewed 19 people, examined satellite images and reviewed a video posted online by Africa Corps. The video described the June strike as an attack on a gathering of "terrorists." The rights group said around 100 JNIM fighters were in the village at the time, but most were gathered in another area. It said the strikes did not appear to have targeted a clear military objective. Human Rights Watch urged Mali's government to investigate the attack and hold those responsible accountable. It warned that failure to do so could make the government complicit in possible war crimes. Russia's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The United States has deported nearly 13,000 Cubans, Venezuelans and other migrants to Mexico, where many face serious risks including cartel violence and lack of basic support, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch released Wednesday. Although Mexico has accepted such deportations before, the report says those sent under the Trump administration are often older and had lived in the US for many years. This makes it harder for them to find jobs and increases their need for medical care. The findings are based on more than 50 interviews conducted in the southern Mexican cities of Tapachula and Villahermosa. The report comes as US authorities have expanded immigration enforcement as part of a wider mass deportation drive. As a result, people who were not previously targeted — including Cubans who had lived in the US for decades — are now being deported. Since countries like Cuba and Venezuela often refuse or limit return flights, many migrants are instead sent to Mexico under special arrangements. A Human Rights Watch researcher described the situation as extremely difficult, especially for older people who are suddenly removed from their lives and left in an unfamiliar and sometimes dangerous environment without proper support. Cubans make up the largest group among those deported, with more than 4,300 sent to Mexico. Many had lived in the US since the 1980s or 1990s, often holding green cards before losing their legal status. The report says over half had some form of criminal record, but only a small portion were linked to violent crimes, while about a quarter had no criminal history at all. Most were detained during routine immigration check-ins, while others were picked up at workplaces or public places. None were given a chance to appear before a judge to challenge their deportation to Mexico, even when they expressed safety concerns. Once in Mexico, many are sent to southern areas with limited job opportunities, poor access to healthcare and high levels of crime. The process to seek refugee status is also complicated, leaving many stuck without clear legal status. Aid workers say shelters are now seeing older deportees, including people in their 80s — a shift from the younger migrants usually arriving. Human Rights Watch has urged both the US and Mexico to make their deportation agreements public and ensure proper legal procedures are followed. It also called on Mexico to provide healthcare and legal pathways for those unable to return home, and on the US to halt such deportations until safeguards are in place.

Parliament on Thursday passed the National Human Rights Commission (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, restoring the 2009 law despite strong objections from opposition lawmakers. The bill reinstates the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009 enacted during the Awami League government by repealing an ordinance promulgated under the interim government. However, actions taken under the repealed ordinance will remain valid. The bill was passed by voice vote. Earlier, an objection raised by NCP lawmaker from Cumilla-4, Hasnat Abdullah, was rejected through a voice vote. Opposition members argued that reviving the 2009 law could reopen the door to using the commission as a tool for political repression. They claimed that before the political changes of July 2024, even many ruling party members would have opposed reinstating the earlier framework. NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah warned that the move could push the country backwards, citing past allegations that the commission had been used to suppress dissent and opposition parties particularly BNP. He alleged that the commission earlier legitimised actions against opposition activists and questioned the neutrality of investigations under the 2009 law which requires prior government approval to probe security forces. He also linked the issue to other ordinances including those related to enforced disappearances and indemnity provisions following the July uprising, suggesting that repealing the 2025 ordinance would weaken those frameworks. Hasnat further criticised the structure of the selection committee under the 2009 law, claiming it was dominated by ruling party members, thereby undermining the independence of the commission. In response, Law Minister Asaduzzaman dismissed the opposition’s concerns, saying the remarks were more suited to political rallies than parliamentary debate. He argued that the 2025 ordinance contained significant ambiguities and provisions that could undermine victims’ rights, including Section 16, which he described as problematic. The minister said the ordinance required extensive review and consultation with stakeholders before it could be enacted into law. He warned that leaving the ordinance in its current form could weaken related legal frameworks, including laws concerning enforced disappearances. To avoid a vacuum in the country’s human rights oversight, the government opted to temporarily reinstate the 2009 law, he said. Asaduzzaman emphasised that the earlier law provides for an independent commission with enhanced authority and insisted there was no reason for concern. He also proposed forming a special parliamentary committee to consider constitutional amendments and broader human rights reforms, including consultations with victims and marginalised communities. Highlighting the government’s record, the minister claimed that no incidents of crossfire or enforced disappearances had occurred during the current administration’s 42 days in office, signalling its commitment to human rights protections. He further said members of the current ruling side had themselves been victims of human rights violations over the past 17 years, particularly citing the BNP and the Zia family, and pledged that the government would not pursue politics of revenge.

Lyft has agreed to a settlement ensuring that blind and other disabled passengers can travel with their service animals nationwide, following a complaint in Minnesota. College student Tori Andres contacted the Minnesota Department of Human Rights after several Lyft drivers refused to let her guide dog, Alfred, accompany her. The department found that Lyft had violated the state’s Human Rights Act. Under the settlement, Lyft will update its driver training and app features to make the protections apply across the U.S., not just in Minnesota. "This case is deeply personal because I travel almost everywhere with my guide dog," Andres said at a news conference, with Alfred lying quietly at her feet. "He is my eyes, my freedom, and why I can live independently." The settlement requires Lyft to educate drivers about passengers’ rights and warns that drivers could be deactivated for violating the law. Drivers are prohibited from refusing rides to passengers who use service animals, wheelchairs, or have low or no vision. Minnesota will monitor Lyft’s compliance for three years, and Andres will receive $63,000 as part of the settlement. Rebecca Lucero, the state’s Human Rights Commissioner, said, "We expect all riders in Minnesota and across the country will benefit from these changes." Lyft, however, downplayed the settlement, stating that it had already enforced policies to protect service animal users and that alleged violations were by independent drivers. The company emphasized that discrimination has no place in its platform. Recent app updates allow riders to notify drivers about service animals and report refusals. Drivers who try to cancel such rides receive an immediate in-app warning that refusing service animals is illegal and could lead to termination. The settlement was reached without a lawsuit. Although Uber is not part of the agreement, Minnesota’s Human Rights Act applies to all ride-share companies. Lucero urged all businesses to review their policies to ensure compliance. The federal government is also pursuing a separate lawsuit against Uber over alleged discrimination against disabled riders, including those with service dogs. "Access to ride shares like Lyft is not a convenience it is a civil right," Lucero said.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday (December 10, 2025) said that his party is committed to accountability, reconciliation and democratic rights -- not revenge -- despite facing the most repression over the last 16 years. In a message posted on his verified Facebook page on Human Rights Day, he also said his party envisions a future Bangladesh to be built on unity, dignity and democratic freedoms with human rights upheld. “BNP has suffered deeply, yet emerged stronger, guided by the belief that truth, justice, accountability, reconciliation and a shared commitment to the rule of law can build a Bangladesh that honours every voice and every life, a nation where human rights are defended as essential to our collective future,” Tarique wrote. He said Bangladesh ‘lived beneath a darkened sky’ for 16 years as fear replaced basic freedoms. Read more: Only BNP understands reforms what Bangladesh truly needs:  Mirza Abbas “Some felt it sharply, others carried the weight quietly. But for many, especially those whose politics diverged from the deposed regime’s ruling line, the darkness was a lived reality: midnight knocks, fabricated cases, brutality endured, terror seeping into daily culture, and families waiting by doors that never opened again,” her said. Tarique said no political organisation bore this burden more than BNP. “Across extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, custodial deaths, and false charges, BNP leaders, activists and supporters formed the largest share of the wounded and missing. And in the 2024 mass uprising, it was again BNP’s ranks that suffered the highest number of deaths and injuries.” He stressed that the pain extended far beyond a single political group, affecting students, journalists, writers and ordinary citizens who lost the everyday essentials of dignity, safety and freedom of expression that “today’s Human Rights Day asks us to protect.” In those years, the BNP leader mentioned that he was stripped of the most basic right of voicing his opinion as he was silenced by an order prohibiting newspapers, electronic media and social media in the country from publishing or airing his words since 2015. Read more: BNP plans universal 'Family Card' for all women: Tarique Rahman “Yet even from enforced silence, I kept fighting for the rights and democracy denied to millions, proving that a spirit committed to justice cannot be muted by decree,” he said. He also highlighted the suffering endured by his mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, whom he described as a national symbol of resilience through imprisonment, political cases and attempts to erase her legacy. “Yet she remained steadfast in the principles she had upheld throughout Bangladesh’s democratic journey. She has always championed that rights belong to every citizen, and that a nation cannot thrive when fear shapes its public life. Her resilience was never hers alone; it reflected the resilience of countless ordinary people,” the BNP leader said. Sharing personal accounts, Tarique said his own mother endured the pain of seeing her son tortured in custody, while his family also suffered the loss of his brother. Read more: Khaleda's condition remains unchanged: Board Yet, he said, this “pain does not always produce bitterness,” but instead strengthens the resolve to build a fairer future. “Our Deshnetri, my mother, exemplifies this more than anyone I know. It can shape people into guardians of a better future, and into people who understand that a nation cannot be rebuilt by repeating the injustices it survived. What Bangladesh needs now is larger than politics. We envision a united country where human rights are guaranteed, where plurality of opinions is welcomed, where opposition is a healthy part of democracy rather than a threat, and where no one is erased for their beliefs,” Tarique said. He said BNP stands strong, choosing resolution over retribution and it rejects the politics of vengeance and affirms that no Bangladeshi, whether ally or opposition, should ever again fear the institutions created to protect their rights. Calling for a rights-based future, he urged Bangladeshis to remember the stories of Abrar Fahad, Mushtaq Ahmed, Ilias Ali, Sajedul Islam Sumon, Sagar-Runi and many more, so that injustices are not repeated. Read more: BNP ready to lead fresh drive against corruption: Tarique

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has said the initiation of proceedings against those accused of carrying out enforced disappearances and torture under the previous government in Bangladesh was an important step towards accountability. “I urge full respect for the most scrupulous standards of due process and fair trial, as guaranteed in international law. The protection of victims and witnesses in these sensitive and significant cases must be ensured,” the High Commissioner said. Last week, the country’s International Crimes Tribunal submitted formal charges of crimes against humanity in two cases related to enforced disappearances and torture alleged to have occurred at the Task Force for Interrogation Cell and the Joint Interrogation Cell, respectively.  The Tribunal also issued arrest warrants for mostly former, but also some serving, military officers, including a number of former Directors-General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, as well as former officials of the Rapid Action Battalion. “This marks the first time that formal charges have been brought for enforced disappearances in the country. It is a significant moment for victims and their families,” High Commissioner Türk said. Bangladesh reaffirms its commitment to NAM principles On Saturday, Bangladesh’s army announced that it had detained over a dozen of its officers accused of serious crimes committed under the previous administration.  It is crucial that the army promptly produces these detained officers to a competent civilian court, for fair and transparent criminal proceedings, said the UN rights body chief in a statement issued from Geneva on October 15. One of the key recommendations of the UN Human Rights Office’s Fact-Finding Report into last year’s deadly student-led protests was that those responsible for serious violations of human rights, some of which may also constitute international crimes, must be held to account in accordance with international standards. The crime of enforced disappearances is now formally recognised in Bangladesh for the first time following ratification in August 2024 of the Convention on Enforced Disappearances and an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act. SAARC can unlock immense potential for trade and investment: GED Member The High Commissioner also urged the authorities to prioritise the handling of the large number of other pending cases – with some dating back to the previous administration and others since then.  It is crucial to ensure due process and fair resolution in each case, and to release promptly anyone who has been arbitrarily detained, said the UN human rights body. This includes survivors of enforced disappearances and others facing unfounded charges, including journalists and those perceived to be supporters of the former regime.  Many of them continue to face criminal charges, including under the draconian Anti-Terrorism Act. The High Commissioner has also urged the authorities not to pursue the death penalty in any of the cases before its courts, irrespective of the seriousness of the charges. “Beyond ensuring individual accountability, the best way forward for Bangladesh is a comprehensive process of truth-telling, reparation, healing and justice," he said. "Such a process must address the legacy of serious human rights violations and ensure that these abuses can never happen again. I also call on the interim Government to deal with ongoing concerns promptly in line with international law,” Türk said.   

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday stressed the need to ensure the protection of environmental human rights defenders and bring their safety under a legal framework. “Environmental defenders around the world are facing killings and violence, an issue that the United Nations has highlighted as highly significant and Bangladesh law should also reflect this concern,” she at the National Consultation on the Draft National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, 2025at a hotel in Dhaka. .Rizwana  said while proposed National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, 2025 is a well-drafted and comprehensive piece of legislation  encompassing investigation, recommendation, compensation, training, arbitration, and mediation its success will depend on how effectively the Commission is empowered and capacitated.  “Just putting people in the chair will not be enough,” she cautioned. “We must orient them with the soft values of human rights, alongside the institutional and legal mechanisms necessary for enforcement,” she said. Rizwana calls for stronger international support on climate action, energy transition Referring to the judiciary’s role in addressing rights violations, she emphasised the need for stronger coordination between the judiciary and the human rights bodies. Despite important directions from the courts, a sense of helplessness sometimes persists in ensuring enforcement, she added. The Environment Adviser said the commission’s recommendations should carry both moral and legal weight. “Moral force is vital in a country like Bangladesh, but there must also be enforceable mechanisms, particularly for arbitration and mediation outcomes.” Highlighting areas for improvement in the draft, Rizwana suggested expanding the definition of “person” to explicitly include government agencies and law enforcement bodies, which she said is critical for ensuring accountability. She also proposed the establishment of a panel of lawyers within the Commission to strengthen its investigative and advisory capacity, as well as regular evaluation of its performance. She further noted that the new Human Rights Commission law should complement other proposed commissions  such as those on police reform, women’s rights, enforced disappearances, and media freedom to create a coherent and reinforcing legal ecosystem for human rights protection. Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser, Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Md. Asaduzzaman, Attorney General for Bangladesh; Reto Siegfried Renggli, Ambassador, Embassy of Switzerland to Bangladesh; Anders B. Karlsen, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Denmark to Bangladesh; Stefan Liller, UNDP Bangladesh, among others, spoke at the event. The consultation was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Law, representatives from the United Nations, development partners, human rights organizations, and members of civil society.

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Saturday said a truly independent and accountable Human Rights Commission can only thrive when it is free from political influence and rooted in citizen participation. He made the remarks while speaking at a meeting in Cox’s Bazar as the government of Bangladesh unveiled the draft National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Ordinance 2025, marking a significant step forward in the country’s commitment to human rights protection and alignment with international standards. The new draft ordinance, designed to replace the NHRC Act 2009, seeks to enhance the Commission’s independence, inclusivity, and accountability. It seeks to align the NHRC’s mandate with relevant parts of the Paris Principles and addresses key recommendations from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), said UNDP. The event, titled ‘Stakeholder Consultation on the Reform of the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009’, was organised by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its Strengthening Institutions, Policies and Services (SIPS) Programme, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland. Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan said a truly independent and inclusive Human Rights Commission is essential if Bangladesh is to meet international standards and restore public trust. Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Stefan Liller said within the broader UN family, governance and the promotion of human rights are core areas of expertise for UNDP.  "We remain committed to supporting the people of Bangladesh in shaping a stronger and more effective National Human Rights Commission," he said. Reform of state’s three organs essential to uphold human rights: Asif Nazrul Liller said they are honoured to be among the partners of choice in advancing these reforms at a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s history. Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Reto Renggli said amending the National Human Rights Commission Act is crucial to ensuring the Commission’s independence, efficiency and credibility. "A stronger institution will not only better protect citizens’ rights but also build trust, strengthen accountability and reinforce Bangladesh’s democratic principles," he said. Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks highlighted Sweden’s continued support and said strong and independent human rights institutions are the backbone of democratic societies. "Sweden stands with Bangladesh in this reform process, which is vital for safeguarding human rights, strengthening the rule of law, and advancing inclusive development," said the Swedish envoy. Earlier, Barrister Tanim Hussain Shawon, Special Consultant, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, presented the keynote on ‘Overview of the Proposed NHRC Ordinance 2025’. Iftikhar Syed Ali, Human Rights Officer, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Cox’s Bazar, shared the UN’s position paper on the current law submitted in early September. Among others, Romana Schweiger, Senior Rule of Law, Justice and Security Advisor, UNDP Bangladesh, and Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, spoke at the event. The Cox’s Bazar consultation follows earlier rounds in Sylhet and Khulna, with further divisional consultations planned nationwide ahead of a divisional consultation in the north and the National Dialogue in Dhaka. The recommendations gathered will inform the final amendments to the NHRC Act 2009. Members of the public are invited to share their opinions or comments on the draft National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Ordinance 2025 by 18 September at [email protected]