What Prevents Bangladesh’s Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Speaking to the Media?

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Advocate Shahanur Islam

If we ask whether the change of power on 5 August 2024 brought any positive changes to media freedom and political culture in Bangladesh, the answer, in one word, is no. Rather, negative changes have been noticeable in many respects. Against this backdrop, a fundamental question has once again emerged in Bangladeshi politics: why is the current BNP-led government so concerned or uncomfortable about a former prime minister and the leader of one of the country’s largest political parties speaking to the media? Why has this discomfort resulted in an explicit prohibition on the dissemination and publication of the former prime minister’s statements, and even prompted the government to issue a statement expressing dissatisfaction and anger towards the Government of India?

BANGLADESH ALERT: Arbitrary Mass Arrests of Bangladesh Awami League Activists under the Anti-Terrorism Act

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Paris, France | 02 August 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organisation, expresses its deep concern, strong condemnation, and protest over the continuing arbitrary mass arrests in Bangladesh in connection with political programmes, the misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the imposition of punitive measures against children.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Bulldozing, Looting, and Arson Attack on the Home of an Awami League Leader in Patuakhali

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Paris, France | 20 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organization, expresses its deep concern and strongly condemns the bulldozing, looting, and arson attack carried out on the night of 17 July against the residence of Kazi Mizanur Rahman (Lovlu), President of the Madhabkhali Union Awami League and former Chairman of the Madhabkhali Union Parishad in Mirzaganj Upazila, Patuakhali, allegedly solely because of his political affiliation.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Condemns Alleged Killings and Enforced Disappearances Following Awami League's 77th Anniversary Programme

Paris, France | 27 June 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strongly condemns the allegations surrounding the recovery of three bodies, the enforced disappearance of several individuals, arbitrary arrests, and the intimidation of the families of the victims following a political programme held in Turag, Dhaka, to mark the 77th anniversary of the Bangladesh Awami League.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern over Arbitrary Mass Arrests and Repression in Connection with Founding Anniversary of the Bangladesh Awami League

Paris, France | 25 June 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strongly condemns the widespread repression and arbitrary arrest of more than one thousand leaders, activists, and supporters of the Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) and its affiliated organizations during nationwide special operations conducted over the past 10 days in connection with the 77th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Awami League on 23 June.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrest of More Than One Hundred People for Allegedly Chanting “Joy Bangla”

Paris, France | 2 June 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the arrest, detention, and prosecution under the Anti-Terrorism Act of more than one hundred individuals across Bangladesh during the tenure of the current BNP-led government for allegedly chanting the slogan “Joy Bangla.”

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Calls for Repeal of the Bill Passed in Parliament Banning Bangladesh Awami League

Paris, France | 09 April 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern, alarm, and strong protest over the passage of the amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act on 8 April 2026 by the National Parliament of Bangladesh, which effectively imposes a permanent ban on Bangladesh Awami League—the largest, oldest, and historically significant political party that led the country’s War of Independence. This measure is not merely a political decision; rather, it is fundamentally inconsistent with the Constitution of Bangladesh, democratic principles, and international human rights standards. We consider this action to be a clearly politically motivated, repressive measure that constitutes a grave violation of the fundamental political rights of the people.

BANGLADESH ALERT: Deep Concern over Arbitrary Arrest and Due Process Violations in the Case of Former Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury

Paris, France | 8 April 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation regarding the recent arrest, detention, and judicial treatment of lawyer, former Member of Parliament, and former Speaker of the National Parliament of Bangladesh, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury. The circumstances surrounding her arrest and the legal proceedings against her raise serious and credible concerns about violations of due process, judicial fairness, and Bangladesh’s obligations under international human rights law.