Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh just celebrated the Eid al-Adha festival, which teaches the lesson of “sacrifice.” Muslims sacrifice cattle and other animals in Islamic rituals, but police extort money from cattle traders who then raise the price of animals, so the burden of "sacrificing" extra money falls upon the common people.

Hong Kong, China — The Bangladesh Supreme Court issued a suo motto ruling against the government and a paramilitary force on Tuesday regarding the deaths of two persons in shootouts. This is the first such action by the court against widespread extrajudicial killing. Could it lead to an end of this deplorable practice?

Hong Kong, China — Around 1,500 Bangladeshi workers went to work Saturday to find a “closed” sign on their factory door, and their wages unpaid. When they went to the street to demonstrate against this injustice, the government sent riot police, who opened fire, killing at least three people and wounding many more.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladeshi politicians exercise double standards when dealing with both the people and the government. They campaign for the rule of law when in opposition, but violate it when in power. They claim to be "brand ambassadors" of human rights, but behind closed doors they propagate torture.

Hong Kong, China — Incidents of extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh have increased following comments by a number of Cabinet ministers. In May, the country's Home Affairs Minister Sahara Khatun said that extrajudicial killings occur only when law enforcers come under attack and that they have the right to save their lives.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh's law-enforcement agencies claim that they have a strong chain of command to maintain law and order in the country. But in reality they are all part of a chain of corruption that permeates society from top to bottom and makes life miserable for ordinary people.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh's former finance minister, Mohammad Saifur Rahman, died in a road accident on Saturday when his driver swerved to avoid hitting a cow. The 77-year-old veteran economist served at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and is credited with opening up the country’s economy and pioneering economic reforms.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met with business leaders in Dhaka Monday and asked them to cut the prices of essential commodities, in an attempt to curb the country’s high inflation. Her plea, aimed at providing relief to people burdened by high prices, seemed to fall upon deaf ears, however.

Hong Kong, China — The Bangladesh government’s executive branch has a long history of controlling the country's judiciary. Although the subordinate judiciary was formally separated from the executive in November 2007, the habit of abusing one’s executive authority in judicial matters still exists.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh’s ruling party, the Awami League, declared during its election campaign last December that if voted to power it would establish the rule of law. But the party has failed to keep its promise, especially with regard to holding the military accountable to the law.

Hong Kong, China — The government of Bangladesh adopted an unprecedented law in the history of modern democracy last week when it granted lifetime blanket security cover to the family of the country’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which includes his daughter Sheikh Hasina, the current prime minister.

Hong Kong, China — Torture by the police and security forces is part of life in Bangladesh. This may be shocking to a citizen of a country where the rule of law functions properly, but not surprising to Bangladeshis. Many think it is unavoidable, unchallengeable and legally unpreventable.

Hong Kong, China — "Heart attack" has become a common term in Bangladesh in recent years. Many of these occur while people are in the custody of police or security forces. Anyone who has a heart is in danger of a "heart attack" at the hands of these heartless beings.

Hong Kong, China — The husband of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Dr. M. A. Wazed Miah, passed away nearly a month ago, and politicians have been conducting marathon mourning for him. Yet those who lost relatives to Cyclone Aila last week have been unable to mourn their dead, and are still waiting for relief.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh's democratically elected government, led by the Awami League, promised to bring change in the country during its election campaign. It also promised to re-establish human rights and the rule of law – but five months later conditions are the same as under the past military regime.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh's former prime minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia has said there is no militancy in the country. Yet the heads of three foreign aid agencies have received threats from militants and been warned to leave the country. Denying the presence of militants will not solve the problem.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh has produced many lawyers who have gained international recognition by virtue of their professional knowledge and skills. On the other hand, there is a saying that well-established and famous lawyers contribute more to the country’s corrupt judicial system than ordinary lawyers do.

Hong Kong, China — The problems of poverty and starvation in Bangladesh are well known to the rest of the world. Two NGOs have released reports naming the country as the 18th hungriest in the world. The country has programs to feed the people, but abuse and corruption mean help is not reaching those at the bottom.

Hong Kong, China — Freedom of expression and freedom of the media are key issues around the world, especially with the advent of the Internet. But Bangladesh has not connected its people with the Internet because of outdated policies and practices. It is also preventing its media from serving as the voice of the people.

Hong Kong, China — The bloodshed at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles last month was initially labeled a mutiny. Since then more information has unfolded, and the media have termed it a massacre of army officers. Public sympathy is mixed, given the record of army brutality over the past two years of military rule.

Hong Kong, China — Torture at the hands of police and security forces is a way of life in Bangladesh. Torture is the most useful tool for the police, military and paramilitary forces to carry out their official duties, from controlling mobs to investigating criminal offences to maintaining law and order. Will it ever end?

Hong Kong, China — Bangladeshi members of Parliament are speaking out against the former military-controlled emergency government, now that a new elected government is in place. They are demanding the prosecution of members of the military forces responsible for detaining and torturing high-ranking politicians.

Hong Kong, China — Golam Reza, an elected member of Parliament in Bangladesh, beat up a bus driver on his way to the inaugural session of Parliament in Dhaka on Jan. 24 because he did not want to queue up behind the bus at a ferry crossing. Such physical assaults have given lawmakers a bad name.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh has finally elected a government to run the country after a two-year hiatus under a military-controlled government that blatantly disregarded the democratic system. The country is now on its way to democracy, although it requires more time to institutionalize the democratic system.

Hong Kong, China — Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned to power after a landslide victory in general elections on Monday. The voting heralded the return of democracy after two years of emergency rule under a military-controlled regime. Thought analysts had predicted the win, the landslide was a surprise.

Hong Kong, China — December 16 is the official Victory Day for Bangladeshis. On this day in 1971, war between Pakistani aggressors and Bangladeshi freedom fighters supported by Indian troops ended. However, after 38 years of independence, with a military government in control, Bangladeshis are far from real victory.

Hong Kong, China — The military-controlled government of Bangladesh has established a National Human Rights Commission, which began work on Monday. A retired Supreme Court judge has been appointed chairman of the much-awaited rights body, along with two other members. It is hoped that this body will be independent and fair.

Hong Kong, China — The Election Commission of Bangladesh has announced general elections for Dec.18. Yet many people are skeptical that the voting will actually take place. Many more question the credibility of elections planned and conducted by the military-backed government.

Hong Kong, China — Extreme poverty destined an 11-year-old girl to work as a maidservant in a home in Dhaka; the child had the additional misfortune of attracting unwanted attention from her employer. But when her family brought a rape case against her employer, the judge released the man after accepting a bribe.

Hong Kong, China — The judiciary in Bangladesh is being seriously undermined by the military, to the point that it can no longer carry out its functions. Judges and courts are subject to illegal, unconstitutional and even criminal practices.

Hong Kong, China — The military-controlled government of Bangladesh wants to keep the state of emergency in effect even during the upcoming general election, and has invited foreign observers to watch. Many Bangladeshis are confused as to the role of these observers, since malpractice continues despite their watchful eyes.

Hong Kong, China — Shafikul Islam, a poor, unemployed young man in Bangladesh, managed to get a job in South Korea under its Employment Permit System. He was all set to go when the Immigration Police took his passport at the Dhaka airport under a false pretext, spoiling his chance for a better future, for no reason.

Hong Kong, China — Last Sunday, the head of the military-controlled government of Bangladesh, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, declared in a national televised address that the stalled general election would be held on December 18. The announcement has given a new ray of hope to people looking forward to a democratically elected government.

Hong Kong, China — The military-controlled interim caretaker government of Bangladesh began its propaganda of reforming the country's political practices. However, attempts have resulted in failure of democratic reforms, which have caused futher damage to civil and law institutions in the country.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh Awami League general secretary Abdul Jalil was arrested and implicated in a graft case lodged by the Anti-Corruption Commission. The government, however, released him on parole without any formal intervention from the court, on humanitarian grounds. Since the state of emergency began, the Bangladeshi government has been "kind" to elite prisoners.

Hong Kong, China — The High Court finally compelled the government of Bangladesh to release an imprisoned businessman after authorities initially ignored the court’s order. It took this rich businessman a year and a half to secure his release; for an ordinary person arbitrarily arrested, release may be impossible.

Hong Kong, China — Hundreds of migrant workers from Bangladesh have been deported by force from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the last few weeks, following protests against wages lower than what their employers had initially agreed to pay. Employment agencies and diplomats have completely failed to protect them.

Hong Kong, China — When an Egyptian woman recently gave birth to seven children in Alexandria, the doctor who delivered them called it "a divine miracle." Compare this story to a "manmade miracle" discovered in Bangladesh, where a set of “septuplets” appeared mysteriously in the home of a retired police inspector.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh held local elections on Monday, the first under the current Election Commission appointed by the military-controlled regime. Chief Election Commissioner Shamsul Huda termed these elections a “test case,” and certainly they raised a number of questions as to their credibility.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh's President Iazuddin Ahmed is now in a critical situation. The Supreme Court has declared that the president has no constitutional authority to impose any rules that are not related to calling a general election as long as there is no Parliament in the country.

Hong Kong, China — Aminul Islam is an eight-year-old, third-grade student. On July 8, his teacher got annoyed when he failed to answer two questions. Her punishments left the boy with swollen hands and legs, bleeding eyes and a severe fever. This is not uncommon in Bangladesh, where teachers are from the lowest social strata.

Hong Kong, China — Two indicators are widely considered in measuring the legitimacy of a government: first, the way it assumed power and second, its effectiveness in meeting the people’s needs and expectations. The government of Bangladesh meets neither test, except in the eyes of the military.

Hong Kong, China — Critics have debated for more than a decade as to whether Bangladesh is politically "sick" or already "dead." Now the nation is experiencing a spate of illness among high-profile detainees awaiting trial on corruption charges. It seems that suddenly they all need to go abroad for treatment.

Hong Kong, China — In Bangladesh, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture has become more a day of celebration than one in which to actually help the victims. Once the day is gone the issue is forgotten and torture, which is a 'normal' part of life, continues.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh continues to face peculiar experiences under the military controlled government. Recent events include the sudden blanket arrest of 20,000 people; the decision to release former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from behind bars; and a huge increase in the defense budget.

Hong Kong, China — The military-controlled government of Bangladesh approved a Voluntary Disclosure Ordinance on Sunday, designed to allow people to report their corrupt deeds to a Truth and Accountability Commission that will then clear them of their wrongdoing.

Hong Kong, China — Among about two dozen public universities in Bangladesh, the University of Dhaka is considered the best. Yet multiple problems are ruining the careers of many students and teachers at the university, due to political favoritism, irresponsible administrators and the diversion of university funds.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh's military-controlled government has been holding a series of "dialogues" with the country's various political parties ahead of expected general elections that are supposed to reinstate a civilian government. Yet in an odd twist, party leaders are demanding that army officers join the dialogue.

Hong Kong, China — The military-controlled caretaker government of Bangladesh has been promoting "reformation" since it took over power by proclaiming a state of emergency. Now the jails are full, the Supreme Court has denied trials to arrested people, and the political parties are close to instigating a mass movement.

Hong Kong, China — The Anti-Corruption Commission of Bangladesh has charged former Supreme Court judge Fazlul Haque of illegally amassing huge wealth and concealing information about his assets. The discovery of corruption at this level raises questions about the judiciary that need to be answered.

Hong Kong, China — "Dialogue" is a widely used word in Bangladesh these days. The Election Commission and the government are holding dialogues with the political parties to discuss implementing election reforms. It seems quite evident that the officials' agenda is not reform, but self-preservation, however.

Hong Kong, China — The term of the chief of staff of the Bangladesh army, Gen. Moeen U Ahmed, has been extended for one more year for the sake of the "public interest." However, no media have reported who among the 140 million people of Bangladesh endorsed this extension, or how the so-called public interest was measured.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh's government is quite serious about the country's image, and claims that it invests its utmost effort and resources to improve that image. However, reality runs counter to this claim; the following examples reveal just how much the government's actions "enhance" the country's image.

Hong Kong, China — Confusing and conflicting statements by the government of Bangladesh have made people wonder whether local and parliamentary elections will be held at all in the coming months. However, the government and political parties both have a strong interest in making sure the elections take place.

Hong Kong, China — Right to Information is a right that is long overdue to the Bangladeshis. The nation, especially the media, a cluster of NGOs, and the civil society have together struggled to bring the debate on the political stage since the last couple of years. However, recently, they framed a draft law and submitted the same to the government for enactment.

Hong Kong, China — The top officials of the military-backed government of Bangladesh have been making contradictory comments in the last few weeks on holding elections. Some say the state of emergency must first be lifted; some say otherwise.

Hong Kong, China — A launch carrying around 140 passengers sank in the Buriganga River on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Feb. 28 when it was rammed from behind by a cargo vessel. The government expressed shock, conducted a half-hearted search, and issued a paltry sum for each victim.

Hong Kong, China — The chief of the Bangladesh army, General Moeen U Ahmed, has been calling for the country to have its "own brand of democracy" for a long time. The general has not publicly clarified exactly what he means by this. Would it be another militarized brand of democracy?

Hong Kong, China — Detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cannot hear properly due to injuries caused by grenade blasts that targeted her public meeting on Aug. 21, 2004, in Dhaka. The simultaneous massive explosions around the meeting stage considerably damaged her ears thereby affecting her hearing capability. Reportedly, she had been receiving treatment abroad as per her convenience and requirements. However, since her arrest and subsequent detention in a prison in Dhaka on Jul. 16, 2007 the former premier has been denied her medical treatment abroad, for almost half a year.

Hong Kong, China — The people of Bangladesh are keeping an eye on court proceedings regarding corruption charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The High Court ruled last week that the trial against her is illegal, since her alleged crimes were committed years before current emergency laws went into effect.

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh's Ministry of Information denies that the government is officially censoring the media. Yet is says it is logical that media would impose "self-censorship" under the state of emergency. By this hypocritical strategy the rulers hope to control the media while denying they are doing so.

Hong Kong, China — Four professors of the University of Dhaka were released from jail on Jan. 22, 2008, through a presidential pardon initiated by the government. The people of Bangladesh still do not know why they were held or why a key report was concealed even from the courts.

Hong Kong, China — "I was kept blindfolded for 18 hours of the 24 hours of remand … I was tied up and suspended from the ceiling and tortured physically there while being kept blindfolded," said Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who got a taste of routine torture in police custody.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — "The price of rice is so high that it is beyond my capacity. We are forced to eat only one meal a day, but the problems are with the children," says schoolteacher Muhammad Yunus Bahari. All of Bangladesh faces the same problem as officials fail to deal with an avoidable food crisis.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Two statues of the Hindu god Vishnu were stolen from the Zia International Airport in Dhaka Saturday at midnight, while under "tight security." The loss and subsequent ineffective investigation reflect the all-pervasive systemic failures in Bangladesh.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — "Shall we not be allowed even to bury the dead?" moaned a man to reporters in front of a collapsed building in Dhaka. He had been waiting eight days to claim the body of his brother from the rubble of the Rangs building, which had crumbled and killed workers hired to demolish the illegal structure.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — The military-backed government of Bangladesh is sending mixed messages in its administration of justice. On one hand teachers have been convicted and imprisoned for influencing students to protest.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Bangladesh will no longer allow protests or processions from victims of the recent cyclone, a government official said Friday, after starving villagers in the disaster-hit area held demonstrations demanding food and relief.Maj. Gen.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — "We no longer have any house in Amtoli...it is quite impossible to believe that once there was any home in the locality! All are destroyed; nothing is left!

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Members of the armed forces are enjoying their jobs more than ever since Bangladesh came under emergency rule last January. "We didn't have the real taste of our jobs until the state of emergency was declared in the country," an army officer confided to a

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Bangladesh is a factory for non-governmental organizations. More than 60,000 local NGOs are registered with various departments of the government in this country with a population of around 140 million.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Sakerun Nesa's 10-year-old son, Shafikul Islam, received a call from his stepbrother, Mokhlesur Rahman, on the evening of Aug. 25, 2000.

SYLHET, Bangladesh — The decision of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh to separate the judiciary from the executive branch of government was protested by magistrates at a recent seminar in Dhaka. One magistrate at the function remarked, "The government has humiliated me as a ma

Sylhet, Bangladesh — An ordinary citizen of Bangladesh, frustrated after a long job search in the public and private sectors, decided to establish a small factory to make cotton using cut pieces of fabric from garment factories. The man needed only a few things: a place for t

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Bangladesh is witnessing a show of legal battles in the country's courts. Since the state of emergency was imposed last January, the military-backed government has been arresting and detaining numerous people every day under the Special Powers Act-1974 an

Sylhet, Bangladesh — The Election Commission of Bangladesh, which has reportedly recently been made "independent" by the military-backed government, is now the talk of the country for its recent decision to "reform the political system." In a forced-feeding approach to reform

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Wherever in the world a military government has been established, a human rights disaster has followed. Few nations have had the eyes to see or the public wisdom to assess the losses they have suffered, however.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — One more senior teacher at Dhaka University has been detained on charges of breaking the county's emergency rules. Professor Sadrul Amin, president of the Dhaka University Teachers Association, was locked up in the Dhaka Central Jail on Sunday.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — The military-backed government of Bangladesh stopped the transmission of a television news channel, CSB News, on Sept. 6.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Since the state of emergency was imposed in Bangladesh in January 2007, more than 100 influential people, including former prime ministers, ministers and lawmakers, have been arrested. In addition, more than 200,000 others have been put behind bars during

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Bangladesh is in a dangerous transition that began with the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of fundamental rights at the beginning of 2007. Initially, the interim, military-backed government was widely supported by the people, which

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Since the military-backed interim government took power in Bangladesh on Jan.12 through the imposition of a state of emergency, the armed forces have been hard at work taking control of the various sections of the country's civilian administration. Soldie

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Bangladesh is known in many parts of the world as a country of floods, cyclones and other natural disasters. More than half of Bangladesh is now inundated with water.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Mohammad Ashik is a student in the eighth grade in Bangladesh. His father Abed Ali lost his job without receiving the wages he was owed by the People's Jute Mills in Khulna District.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Arresting and taking high-profile people to court has become a sensational issue in many countries of the world. In Bangladesh, it occurred recently for the second time when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was arrested early in the morning of July 16

Sylhet, Bangladesh — People in powerful positions throughout the world, in general, consistently love to multiply their power. In Bangladesh, those who wield governmental powers are no exception, whether they be politicians or bureaucrats.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — A medical college hospital under construction collapsed, taking the lives of three construction workers and injuring 12 others, on July 11 in Dhaka. The East-West Medical College Authority was constructing a part of its hospital building while another win

SYLHET, Bangladesh — Good lessons are hardly practiced in the national life of Bangladesh. The conscience of the nation appears to be perpetually sleeping--a national stupor that unfortunately affects the health of the nation's people.Take the example of 50-year-old Rahima

SYLHET, Bangladesh — The cycle of corruption in Bangladesh is unique. Past governments used to bring charges of corruption against opposition political party leaders, who were the predecessors on the ruling chairs, instead of any person in power.

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Bangladesh has a long history of fighting against tyranny during the country's colonial regimes. The nation achieved independence in 1971 at the cost of the blood of about 3 million people.

SYLHET, Bangladesh — Bangladesh's military-backed interim government has imposed a number of new measures on its people since a state of emergency was imposed in January. These include the State of Emergency Ordinance 2007 and Emergency Rules 2007, with a number of amendments

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Bangladesh has been experiencing an unusual and crucial period and a series of surprising, shocking, suffocating and confusing events. There has been no elected Parliament for the last seven months while an interim government has been running the show und

Hong Kong, China — Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since Jan. 11 for the fourth time since independence in 1971.