https://www.youtube.com/live/e_4MVGj-2SA?feature=shared In Episode 03 of The Election Observer podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) will discuss the electoral reform prospects in Bangladesh amid calls for elections in an era of transition and transformation towards realizing the democratic aspirations post-authoritarian rule. ANFREL senior program officer Tharindu Abeyrathna and Dr. MD Abdul
https://www.youtube.com/live/e_4MVGj-2SA?feature=shared The deadly 2024 protests in Bangladesh ousted Prime Minister Sheik Hasina and ended her 15-year rule. An interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, was then formed. Efforts to reform government and other institutions ensued including the formation of the Electoral Reform Commission. Bangladesh has consistently ranked low
Overview After fifteen years under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, Bangladesh now has a rare opportunity to strengthen governance and implement safeguards to prevent the rise of another autocratic regime. During her tenure, her government systematically eroded the independence of key institutions, including the police, judiciary, and bureaucracy, to consolidate power. Widespread human rights
The statement of the Indian Prime Minister on the victory day of Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 16 December 1971, is in clear disregard to the sovereignty of Bangladesh, and its people who sacrificed their lives to achieve independence. Odhikar strongly condemns and protests Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s misleading and distorted statement. On
ANFREL member in Bangladesh, Odhikar, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award (ADHRA) of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD), 27 November 2024. Established in 1994, Odhikar, which means rights in Bengali, "has deepened democracy and human rights in Bangladesh through research, advocacy, overseeing
Odhikar’s Statement on the Occasion of its Founding Anniversary 10th October 2024 is Odhikar’s 30th founding anniversary. On 10th October 1994, Odhikar was established by human rights defenders with the determination to establish human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Bangladesh. On its 30th founding anniversary, Odhikar stands against the
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) calls for urgent and decisive action following ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5th, 2024, marking a pivotal moment for democratic renewal in Bangladesh. Hasina's over 15-year rule, which began in January 2009, was increasingly marked by authoritarian practices including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances,
OVERVIEW The second issue of Data-Dive provides a comprehensive look at the state of democracy and freedom in Bangladesh. According to the Democracy Index 2023, Bangladesh is categorized as a "Hybrid Regime" with persistent issues in electoral fairness, political participation, and civil liberties. Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2024 report classifies
We, the undersigned, urgently bring to your attention a disturbing development concerning the Government of Bangladesh. An email dated 25 July 2024, sent by the Government to its overseas embassies, instructs them to counter the current narrative regarding the situation in Bangladesh. This communication seeks to manipulate host governments and media outlets,
DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE: "Asian Electoral Review: Advancing Electoral Democracy through Electoral Reforms" The year 2024 has been dubbed as the year of elections with more than 50 countries and territories around the world set to hold national and regional elections.1 In the first quarter of the year alone, Bangladesh and
ANFREL had observed that from 8 January to 21 January, Bangladesh had experienced significant political turmoil and controversy surrounding the 12th Parliamentary election which was held on 7 January. Following the conclusion of the 12th Parliamentary Election, the Chief Election Commissioner had announced that the ruling Awami League (AL) had secured a
We, the undersigned civil society organisations, voice our deep concern regarding the 12th Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh, which took place on 7 January 2024. The elections were neither genuine nor competitive and raised serious questions about its adherence to democratic principles and international election standards. Numerous reports and evidence point to widespread
From 25 December 2023 and Election Day on 7 January 2024, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) monitored a political and electoral landscape marred with instances of political violence between Awami League (AL) and independent candidates as well as arson attacks to polling centres and election camps, anti-election campaigns by the
ANFREL voices its profound concern regarding the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh, set to take place on 7 January 2024. It is strongly believed that this election is at risk of lacking genuineness and electoral competitiveness, raising serious questions about its adherence to democratic principles and international election standards that assess
In the lead-up to Bangladesh's 12th Parliamentary Election on January 7, 2024, the political landscape continued to witness tensions and conflicts. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, initiated a countrywide dawn-to-dusk strike on December 19 as part of their non-cooperation movement, amid the continued arrests and imprisonment of their leaders
Between November 27 and December 10, the political landscape was marked by intense rivalries and controversies. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) continued to declare a countrywide blockade and strike, demanding the cancellation of the election schedule and the resignation of the Awami League (AL)-led government. The AL faced criticism for controversial nominations
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) hosted a webinar to help understand the political and electoral environment in Bangladesh ahead of the scheduled general election on 7 January 2024. Three speakers shed light on the country's situation including Sanjid Islam of
Between 13 and 26 November in Bangladesh, a series of significant political events unfolded, including the announcement of the election schedule for the upcoming election, reflecting the country's tense and dynamic political climate. The period began with the police filing a case against two deceased BNP leaders for violence on October 29.1
In recent events in Bangladesh, the political landscape has been marked by escalating tensions and crackdowns between the ruling Awami League (AL) and opposition parties, primarily the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The AL has pledged to resist what it perceives as 'anarchy' instigated by the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.1 Meanwhile, the Election Commission
Political tensions, rallies, arrests, and the beginning of violent clashes between the Awami League (AL), the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and law enforcement were observed from 16 to 29 October 2023. The United States (US) emphasised the need for a dialogue among the political parties to ensure a free, fair and participatory
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is publishing a biweekly briefer called "Bangladesh in Focus" which sheds light on the situation in Bangladesh. "Bangladesh in Focus" seeks to raise awareness on the political situation and electoral environment in the country. Summary (2-15 October 2023) Between the 2nd and 15th of October,
Odhikar released its Three-Month Human Rights Monitoring Report on Bangladesh. The group said the human rights situation in the country remained repressive and retaliatory. From January to September 2023, Odhikar has recorded 12 cases of extrajudicial killings, 32 cases of enforced disappearances, 70 killed and 6,331 injured due to political violence, 309
The organizations represented here firmly denounce the conviction of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar in Bangladesh. On 14 September 2023, the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal sentenced Khan and Elan to two years in prison with a fine of 10,000 Bangladeshi Taka under the draconian digital security
Dhaka, 14 September 2023: The Cyber Tribunal, Dhaka today has sentenced to two years imprisonment and Taka 10,000 fine each, to Odhikar’s Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and Director ASM Nasiruddin Elan for allegedly breaching Section 57 of the repressive Information and Communication Technology Act 2006. They were charged for releasing a report
Leaders of Prominent Rights Group Convicted on Trumped-Up Charges [14 September 2023] Bangladesh authorities should immediately release human rights defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, quash their convictions, and end all reprisals against them for their legitimate human rights work, said 72 organizations today. Khan and Elan were sentenced by
Today, 14 September 2023, marks a significant juncture in the pursuit of justice as we await the verdict in the case of Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar. The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) stands in solidarity with Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar. We urge the
10th August marks ten years of extreme state repression on Odhikar. On 10 August 2013, Odhikar’s Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan was picked up by members of the Detective Branch (DB) of Police for publishing a report on extrajudicial killings, centering around the Hefazate Islam rally that took place on 5th and 6th
The human rights violations in the first three months of 2023 are a continuation of the human rights violations that have been going on for the past 14 years. After the current Awami League government came to power in 2009, it has been using all the state institutions, including the Election Commission,
Some of the websites and pages post only materials that either promote the government or attack the opposition. On specific occasions, their focus turns on journalists, writers and human rights defenders. By Qadaruddin Shishir As Bangladesh approaches a national election within a year, the authorities have shut down 191 news websites claiming
ANFREL member in Bangladesh, Odhikar, published the findings of their monitoring of the human rights situation in the country during the second quarter of 2022. From April to June 2022, Odhikar recorded five cases of extrajudicial killings, five cases of enforced disappearances, 19 deaths in jails, among many other human rights violations