Tag: Freedom of expression
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Article 19: Bangladesh marked as 'endangered' country in Global Expression Report
In the report, the global rights organization rated countries on a 100-point scale and classified them into five categories – crisis (0-19), highly restricted (20-39), restricted (40-59), less restricted (60 -) 79), and open (80-100). The situation of Bangladesh's expression is quite serious, not only in the global perspective but also in South Asia. Neighboring…
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Media freedom in danger: Challenges facing the country's media. world press freedom day
The country's media is facing diverse challenges as the space for media and civil society is shrinking due to the possibility of laws being deliberately used to abuse them. State organizations charged with ensuring accountability have become weak due to politicization. Speakers made these comments at a discussion meeting on 'World Press Freedom Day'. However,…
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America is in favor of freedom of assembly in view of Pakistan elections
The United States called on Monday for respect for freedom of assembly as Pakistani authorities warned they would ban protests by supporters of jailed Prime Minister Imran Khan following his bloc’s surprise election victory. Asked about Pakistani police’s use of the colonial-era law against public gatherings, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, “We want…
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Anisul Haq discusses human rights and freedom of expression in exclusive interview – Prothom Alo
prothom hello , The case of seven murders came into limelight and the government took action. But some incidents do not come to light and then no action is taken. anisul haq: There have not been many incidents that have received this much attention and therefore have not made headlines. And when we started paying…
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Threats to press freedom in Bangladesh: Impact on journalism and investigative reporting.
The Digital Security Act was then abolished and the Cyber Security Act was enacted in its place, with some reduced sentences and changes here and there, although basically most of the repressive sections of the two older laws were retained, Sometimes with changes in words. In case of ‘offences’ like defamation, instead of jail sentence,…
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‘Let us snatch our freedom’
On behalf of those who canceled the permission, the Dean said that they have come to know that there will be contempt of the government and the state in the meeting. No democratic society can silence someone’s voice simply by assuming that something will be said, before it is actually said. If whatever has been…
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Police obstructed the musical procession being taken out demanding voting rights.
The participants in the procession sang three different songs, ‘Karar Oi Loho Kobat’, ‘E Shikol Pora Chola’ and ‘Durgomo Giri Kantar Moru’. He played drums, dotora (a musical instrument with two strings) and guitar to accompany the songs. Artist Farzana Wahid (Shayaan), artist Arup Rahi, journalist Mehboob Morshed, artist Amal Akash, poet Firdous Ara, organizer…
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Why are youth afraid to speak out and unable to vote? Bitter reality has emerged from a survey
In recent times, it was our youth who led the quota reform movement and the movement for safe roads. Yet now when more than 71 of those young people say they cannot express themselves freely, one can understand the depth of the crisis. In the survey, 74 percent of the youth expressed hope of being…
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Dilemma on democracy and human rights narrative
Similarly, while not mentioning elections or enforced disappearances, Belgium’s representative called for repealing or revising laws restricting freedom of expression, the Cybersecurity Act and the law relating to foreign funding. America and Britain raised the issue of elections, but the Law Minister did not term all these as criticism in the press briefing. Chris Kucharski…
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Enforced disappearances and lack of justice: breaking public trust in Bangladesh’s judiciary.
The summary, based on information and assessments by the organization’s various expert groups, also includes recommendations made to the government by former High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet during her visit to Bangladesh. Most of the recommendations made by Bangladesh to the UN delegation to Bangladesh during the third UPR have not been implemented. Bangladesh said it…
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Internet freedom declining in Bangladesh: report
During this period, the ruling Awami League has been found to be consolidating political power through continued harassment of the opposition and those considered affiliated with it, as well as critical media and voices in civil society. Corruption has become endemic as anti-corruption efforts have weakened due to politicization. The report also highlights serious concerns…
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International community condemned sending human rights activists to jail
Since the verdict, 72 human rights organizations as well as the United States, the European Parliament, France and Germany have called for the unconditional release of these activists. The government had already canceled the registration of the rights. The New York Times said the decision signals a new crackdown on dissent, and the BBC noted…
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What do the barrage of ‘haha’ reactions indicate?
According to social media management and analytics platform NapoleonCat, as of August 2023, Facebook was the most dominant social media platform in Bangladesh with 63.65 million users, representing a significant 36.2 percent of the country’s total population. It also revealed that about 65.3 percent of users are male, while the largest group is between 18…
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Why should cases continue under the repealed law?
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had called for the repeal of two sections (21 and 28) of the Digital Security Act. But the proposed law has retained the content. Section 21 provides for punishment for any propaganda or propaganda against the Liberation War, the spirit of the Liberation War,…
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Indian artists take government to court over ban on IT laws
government mandated censorship Authorities from Brazil to Indonesia have in recent years introduced so-called fake news laws aimed at curbing misinformation, requiring social media platforms to immediately remove content and suspend accounts if ordered to. Yes, users are even arrested in some countries including India. Human rights groups have warned that these laws could silence…