United News of Bangladesh

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]

A delegation of five Human Rights subcommittee Members will visit Bangladesh from September 16 to 18 to discuss the human rights dimension of the relations between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU). Against the backdrop of the upcoming elections in February 2026 and of the strengthening of EU-Bangladesh relations, the European Parliament delegation is visiting the country to "learn more about the work" of the interim government in promoting good governance and advancing human rights, including international labour standards, and to discuss the EU-Bangladesh partnership in these areas. The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will visit the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights Mounir Satouri will lead the delegation. Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Urmas Paet and Catarina Vieira are the members of the delegation. Only peace, dialogue can bring stability to a nation: Cardinal Koovakad They will hold meetings with representatives of the interim government, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, labour representatives and representatives of multilateral organisations operating on the ground. Since the violent crackdown on the mass protest movement of 2024 and the subsequent downfall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is undergoing a period of political transition under an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka. The interim authorities launched a reform process in autumn 2024, including the country’s electoral system, judiciary and other key institutions. Bangladesh and the EU have furthermore resumed negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). Bangladesh is currently under an Everything but Arms (EBA) enhanced engagement  process with the EU, which includes a systematic approach to addressing concerns with regard to fundamental human rights as well as labour rights. Bangladesh hosts over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees who fled to escape persecution following the Myanmar military crackdown against the minority in 2017. The situation in the refugee camps in Bangladesh is dire, with overcrowding, limited resources, and ongoing humanitarian challenges. The delegation will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Consensus Commission Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz, representatives of the Bangladesh

Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Saturday said upholding human rights in Bangladesh is not possible without addressing the longstanding issues within the three key organs of the state -- the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. “We must fix the state’s three main pillars. Without doing so, there is no way to ensure human rights. We have to touch the core issues. That’s where we are trying to bring change,” he said while speaking at the 11th Human Rights Conference held at Dhaka University’s Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium. Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) organised the conference. Referring to the country’s democratic journey, Dr Nazrul said Bangladesh witnessed relatively fair elections and peaceful transfers of power from 1991 to 2012–13, which allowed for a certain degree of democratic progress. “Even in 2013, during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, opposition candidates won several mayoral elections …there was still some transparency,” he said. Govt transparent over aircraft crash, spreading rumors serious offense: Law Adviser Emphasising a measured approach to reform, he said, “Transformation won’t come overnight. But we must steadily move forward through better elections, administrative and legal reforms, and by building a culture of human rights.” Presided over by HRSS Chairperson Shahzada Al Amin, the conference was addressed, among others, by human rights activist and HRSS Chief Adviser Md Nur Khan; Senior Human Rights Adviser at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh Huma Khan, and Dean of the Faculty of Law at Dhaka University Prof Mohammad Ekramul Haque.