Bangladesh has issued a cautionary notice regarding foreign nationals who are illegally staying in the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the notice on Tuesday, according to a media release signed by Faisal Hasan, director at the public relations office under the ministry.  “It has been alleged by several sources that many foreigners have been staying in Bangladesh illegally and working for several organisations,” reads the notice. DMP commissioner attends courtesy meeting with US Embassy delegation Those residing illegally have been asked to legalise their necessary documents without delay and the relevant offices or organisations have also been advised to cooperate with service seekers, according to the notice. Legal actions will be taken if anybody doesn’t abide by the instructions, warns it.  

A recent survey by the Ministry of Home Affairs has revealed that 71.5% of people demand punishment for police members involved in excessive use of force to handle protest marches and suppress opposing views. The findings emerged from the analysis of the survey titled 'What Kind of Police Do We Want?' conducted by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry. Survey results on ‘The Police We Want’ published The Police Reform Commission released the survey results on Tuesday. The survey highlighted strong public sentiment regarding the need for accountability and the safeguarding of human rights. "…71.5% of respondents want punishment for police members involved in excessive use of force to handle protest marches and suppress dissent, which amounts to human rights violations and is considered a criminal act," the survey results indicated. Besides, 68.8% of respondents supported including international human rights guidelines and formalising standard procedures in policing. They believed such measures would strengthen adherence to human rights. The survey also found that 68.27% of respondents backed rewarding and penalising police members annually to encourage respect for and loyalty to human rights. The survey also addressed public opinion on the need for prior approval from the Metropolitan Police Commission to organise meetings and gatherings. Fifty-one point eight percent of respondents considered this requirement contrary to fundamental rights. In contrast, 37.4% did not fully agree with the requirement, and 10.8% were uncertain or hesitant. Speakers call for urgent police reform to create public-friendly policing The survey said that Article 37 of the Constitution recognises the fundamental right to organise meetings and express opinions. But, under Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Law 1976, the police commissioner holds the power to postpone such gatherings for up to 30 days in the public interest. The requirement for prior approval, however, is not mentioned in this law. Regarding the democratic development of the country, 71.2% of respondents expressed the desire to amend this provision. Italy offers support for Bangladesh's police reforms, safe migration The survey also shed light on the public's views on Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code, with 82.5% of respondents considering it an easily misused law. Among them, 46.2% called for modernising the section. They argued that reforming this colonial-era law would uphold democratic values and implement measures that offer a scientifically beneficial quality of life. Specifically, 39.7% of respondents supported amending Section 54 based on recommendations from higher courts. The ministry's survey engaged 24,442 participants, with 86.6% aged between 18 to 44 years. Job holders made up 36.4%, students 27.2%, and business owners 7.6%, while 7.1% were in other occupations. Most respondents came from Dhaka, followed by Chattogram and Cumilla.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs, has warned that legal action will be taken against those who file frivolous or ill-intended lawsuits aiming to harass people. The ministry has recently issued directives on this matter. He further stated that individuals who lodge cases against innocent people or use legal threats to extort money will face appropriate consequences. The adviser made these remarks while briefing journalists at the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Sector Headquarters in Rajshahi this afternoon. Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation, or MSF, a rights watchdog led by Advocate Sultana Kamal, has reported that at least 268 cases were filed against 1.94 lakh people following the fall of the Awami League-led government on August 5, till August 31. The vast majority of these cases targeted AL leaders and activists including party resident and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. In those cases, MSF reported 26,268 of the accused were named, while around 1.68 lakh others remained unnamed. In response to a question from journalists about public concerns regarding the police's inability to function fully, the adviser said, "Since August 5, the police have made significant improvements from their previous state. The force has been working through a trauma, and while I can't fix it overnight, the situation is gradually improving. We will need some more time to see further progress." Govt increased funding for Puja by nearly two-fold: Home Adviser When asked whether the government has specific information about Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and former Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the adviser stated, "We do not have any specific information regarding them. However, if you have any such information, you are encouraged to share it, and you will be rewarded for your assistance." On the matter of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Tribunal against Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader, and the efforts to bring them back to the country, the adviser said, "The Foreign Affairs Adviser has already addressed this issue in detail in the media. We have an agreement with India regarding this, and we will certainly follow that agreement." During the briefing, Major General Mohammad Ashraful Islam Siddique, Director General of BGB, Brigadier General S M Zahidur Rahman, Rangpur Region Commander, and Colonel Md Imran Ibn Rouf, Rajshahi Sector Commander, were also present.

Three additional inspectors general of police have been sent on forced retirement. The Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued separate notifications in this regard on Thursday. The police officials are Mohammad Shahbuddin Khan, additional IGP of Highway Police; Barrister Harun ur Rashid, additional IGP at Police Headquarters; and Dr Mohid Uddin, DIG of Tourist Police, (supernumerary, promoted to additional IGP).

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Bangladesh Mission in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are working over the issues related to Rabiul Islam alias Arav Khan, a fugitive in the police officer murder case, says a spokesperson. "He is under watch there," Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Seheli Sabrin told reporters in the weekly briefing on Thursday (March 23, 2023) afternoon. She said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will extend required assistance if the Home Ministry seeks. Rabiul Islam alias Arav Khan, a fugitive in the police officer murder case, has not been arrested in Dubai, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Tuesday. Read More: Interpol accepted ‘red notice’ request against Arav Khan, says IGP “No, he has not been arrested….it’s an event that’s unfolding. You will know in time,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question. The State Minister said all he can say that there is no scope for any Bangladeshi accused to stay free in a country if he is granted political asylum or for any reason he identifies himself. Interpol has accepted Bangladesh police's request to issue a red notice against fugitive accused Rabiul Islam alias Arav Khan, owner of Arav Jewellers in Dubai. Earlier, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said on Saturday (March 18) that efforts were underway to bring Arav Khan alias Rabiul Islam to the country through the international police agency Interpol. Read more: Arav Khan not arrested yet: Shahriar Alam A senior Detective Branch official on Thursday (March 16) said cricketer Shakib al Hasan and content creator Hero Alam who participated in the inauguration of Arav Jewellers in Dubai may be questioned for the sake of investigation.

In the wake of the Myanmar military’s February 1st coup d’etat, Burma Campaign UK and International Campaign for the Rohingya on Monday demanded American web services company Cloudflare terminate its services for the Myanmar military. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked members of the police force to attach the highest importance to basic rights, human rights and rule of law while discharging their professional duties.

The high-level probe body formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs interrogated former Officer-in-Charge of Teknaf Model Police Station Pradeep Kumar Das on Wednesday over the murder of Major (retd) Rashed Md Sinha Khan.