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

Scroll down to read the English, বাংলা & Français versions of this OP-ED.

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?

JMBF Statement on World Press Freedom Day 2026

Paris, France | May 3, 2026: On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2026, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound solidarity with journalists in Bangladesh who continue to endure intimidation, harassment, arbitrary detention, and unjust imprisonment for the legitimate exercise of their professional duties.

BANGLADESH ALERT: Dismissal of Two University Teachers on Allegations of “Blasphemy” — A Gross Violation of Justice, Academic Freedom, and Human Rights

20 January 2026 | Paris, France: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a Paris-based human rights organization, strongly condemns and expresses deep concern over the dismissal of two respected teachers of the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) on 18 January following allegations of blasphemy.

BANGLADESH ALERT: Arrest of Senior Journalist Anis Alamgir under the Anti-Terrorism Act - A Naked Manifestation of State Repression Against Freedom of Expression

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংস্করণ দেখার জন্য, নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” "Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”

Paris, France I 15 December 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and profound outrage over the fact that the current interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has chosen an authoritarian and fascistic path by suppressing freedom of expression rather than protecting it, despite assuming power with commitments to uphold human rights, the rule of law, and unrestricted freedom of expression.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Attack and Arbitrary Arrest of Former Minister, University Professor, Journalists, and Prominent Citizens at Discussion in Dhaka

To read the Bengali and French versions, please scroll down and click ‘More’

Paris, France; 29 August 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deepest concern and strongly condemns the violent attack and arbitrary arrest of former Minister and Member of Parliament Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of Dhaka University’s Department of Law, along with journalist Monjurul Alam Panna and other eminent citizens, by anti-liberation fundamentalist miscreants on 28 August 2025. This occurred during the roundtable discussion titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh” organized by Manch 71 at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

This attack was reportedly carried out with the direct backing of the current interim government. The participants were obstructed, handed over to the police, and later subjected to arbitrary arrest under false charges filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act before being sent to jail custody.