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Governance

US calls for democratic space to resolve differences

Washington calls on every political actor in Bangladesh to play a role to stop violence and move into democratic space to resolve differences. Marcia_BernicatUS ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat conveyed her country’s position on the current crisis to foreign minister A H Mahmood Ali at the foreign office on Tuesday. “We reiterate our call from Washington that everyone plays a role to stop violence and to move into the democratic space that Bangladesh is blessed to have,” Bernicat told newsmen after the m...

Extremists may exploit current political situation: Crisis Group

The International Crisis Group (ICG) today said that with daily violence at the pre-election level in Bangladesh, the political crisis is fast approaching the point of no return and could gravely destabilise the country unless the sides move urgently to reduce tensions. icg-compressorA protracted and violent political crisis would leave Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia the ultimate losers, particularly if a major breakdown of law and order were to encourage the military to intervene, observed ICG, a conflict-prevention non-profit NGO...

Dhaka opposes Beijing dam plan on Brahmaputra

In a significant development in which India failed to take-up issues with the Chinese government, Bangladesh has dared to push the issue relating to both the neighboring countries. According to a media report Chinese government planned to construct several mega dams and hydro projects in Brahmaputra (Lohit) basin in Tibet’s Jangmu and Great Bend region. Bangladesh opposed the Chinese plan through a strong letter from Dhaka to Beijing. China-flagA copy of the letter from Bangladesh’s foreign office was also sent to Bangladesh high commis...

US concerned over violence in Bangladesh

The United States is gravely concerned by the ongoing unrest and violence in Bangladesh, a press release said. usdos-logo-sealThe release said, we deplore the unconscionable attacks including bus burnings, throwing incendiary devices, and train derailments that have killed and wounded innocent victims. We condemn in the strongest terms the use of violence for political objectives. There is simply no justification for such actions in a democratic Bangladesh. All Bangladeshis must have the right and the ability to express their views peace...

2-party showdown in Bangladesh

WHEN Amulya Chandra Barman, a 45-year-old rickshaw-puller, boarded a bus in Dhaka last month, it was to go home to his village in the north of Bangladesh. Instead, he ended up in the burns unit of a hospital in the capital. A bomb was thrown into the bus, landing on the bag on his lap. His face and hands were burnt. The bag—holding a month’s savings in cash—was reduced to ashes. He is at least alive. This week eight people were killed in a firebombing attack on a bus in eastern Bangladesh. In all, about 60 people have died in a month-long transport blockade called by the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Why Bangladesh’s politics are broken

FOR the past month Bangladesh, a country of nearly 160m people, has (yet again) been paralysed. The opposition leader, Khaleda Zia, has been confined to a party office in the capital, Dhaka. Her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been staging a nationwide blockade of roads, railways and waterways. The trigger for the unrest was a banned protest to mark the anniversary on January 5th of last year’s election, in which the incumbent Awami League, led by the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, was re-elected easily thanks to an opposition boycott. Nearly 50 people have been killed and more than 10,000 opposition activists arrested. BNP leaders are mostly in jail, in exile or in hiding, and face criminal charges that will probably bar them from running in the next election. This week events a...
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