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?

BANGLADESH ALERT: Immediately Release Imprisoned Sick, Elderly, and Female Journalists

Paris, France | Date: 12 March 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the continued detention of several prominent senior journalists in Bangladesh for more than a year without trial in politically motivated cases solely because of their professional work.

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: 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.