Analysis A judicial misjudgement? The written court judgement setting out reasons why it was right to convict two Bangladesh human rights activists reveals the absence of evidence to support its conclusions. Netra News November 6th 2023
Analysis The alleged fraud and money laundering case against Muhammad Yunus An examination of a criminal case filed recently by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission against Muhammad Yunus. Netra News October 30th 2023
Netra Report Rogue reporter At Associated Press’ Dhaka bureau, personal and political interests dilute journalism, as a reporter continually violates the news agency’s code of conduct. Netra News October 18th 2023
Analysis When Bangladesh’s “fake” civil society discredits the opposition and real human rights violations Dr Mizanur Rahman’s speech in London claimed the country’s main opposition party was “extremist”; should be “isolated from the mainstream”; and, that enforced disappearances are “uncorroborated”. Netra News October 3rd 2023
Netra Report Saima Wazed: Lancet and Financial Times raise questions about WHO nomination Without academic qualifications or work experience, prime minister’s daughter’s nomination threatens “to delegitimise” the election process and “future credibility” of WHO regional directors and “damage trust” in integrity of the organisation. Netra News September 27th 2023
Netra Report Adilur Rahman Khan: “Whatever we have done has been done for the cause of human rights and justice” In a short interview with Netra News before hearing the verdict, the human rights activist said that he stood by Odhikar’s report claiming that 61 people died following a rally in Bangladesh in May 2013. Netra News September 14th 2023
Analysis Why fair elections are beyond the Awami League’s control Western capitals should not take Hasina’s promises of fair elections at face value because she will not and, more importantly, cannot deliver on them. Netra News July 21st 2023
Blog The satirical article Dhaka’s mayor has tried to ban The mayor of Bangladesh’s capital city and a powerful member of the ruling party attacks media freedom. Netra News June 23rd 2023
Blog Is the UN alive to Bangladesh government’s charm offensive? As the government continues to seek pre-election legitimacy, the UN's peace-keeping chief stands out as the only senior UN official accepting an invitation to visit Bangladesh. Netra News June 21st 2023
Blog Paying the media for good news A sponsored article, written by an Israeli lobbyist in a right-wing UK news website raises questions about the Bangladesh government’s strategy. Netra News May 18th 2023
Netra Report “Secret Prisoners of Dhaka” shortlisted for Global Shining Light Award 2023 “The bravest example of Bangladeshi journalism” — Netra News investigation into secret DGFI prison among the finalist entries of prestigious GIJN prize. Netra News May 17th 2023
Blog UK-Bangladesh “bilateral meeting” claims untrue False claims of formal meeting with UK prime minister likely to further tarnish the reputation of Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian government. Netra News May 12th 2023
Netra Report Executioners speak: How to carry out an execution In chilling testimonies, two former RAB commanders implicate the highest level of the government in extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh. Netra News April 3rd 2023
Blog International pressure builds on Bangladesh government to suspend Digital Security Act UN human rights chief says law is being used across country to “arrest, harass and intimidate journalists and human rights defenders, and to muzzle critical voices online” Netra News March 31st 2023
Blog The jailing of Samsuzzaman Shams The circumstances of the Prothom Alo journalist’s arrest suggests the last vestiges of democratic culture in Bangladesh are slipping away. Netra News March 30th 2023
Netra Report Bangladesh government “appalled” at UN rapporteur letter In its response to the UN rapporteurs, the government denies harassment and intimidation and questions UN working group’s reliance on Odhikar’s work on disappearances Netra News March 17th 2023
Blog Bangladesh’s public relations problem The Awami League government should be concerned about The Economist’s description of Sheikh Hasina as a prime minister seeking to make the country a “one-party state”. Netra News March 13th 2023
Documents Here’s the deal that Bangladesh government and Adani don’t want you to see Obtained by Netra News and released in the public interest. Netra News February 18th 2023
Netra Report Bangladesh’s YouTube dissidents In the first in a series about Bangladeshi dissidents, Netra News looks at the most popular dissident YouTube journalists operating from outside the country. Netra News February 17th 2023
Netra Report UN experts write to Bangladesh government over concerns over use of lethal force and arbitrary detentions against peaceful protests UN letter puts pressure on the Awami League government to justify its alleged repressive activities towards the opposition Netra News February 10th 2023
Analysis Proposed Bangladesh law lacks emergency powers used by Indian government to block BBC Modi film As India orders YouTube and Twitter to remove all links to the BBC Modi film, Netra News looks at the powers the Bangladesh government has to remove from social media a film made by international broadcasters Netra News February 6th 2023
Netra Report Beximco’s Shayan Rahman files details in UK of ownership of Ladybird Properties The offshore company owns the £1.2 million London house where Sheikh Rehana, sister of the Bangladesh prime minister, has been living rent free for years. Netra News February 3rd 2023
Netra Report Sheikh Rehana, sister of Bangladesh prime minister, lives rent-free in £1.2m London house owned by Beximco’s Shayan Rahman The secret arrangement, involving an offshore company, raises conflict of interest concerns as the conglomerate has benefited under the current government. Netra News December 19th 2022
Blog Bangladesh’s expensive power deal An analysis by the Washington Post shows how the government signed a far from favourable energy deal with an Indian businessman Netra News December 12th 2022
Netra Report Police shoots at activists inside BNP office, killing one and injuring dozens Hundreds of activists arrested, including top leaders and spokesman. Netra News December 7th 2022
Blog Twitter correspondence with users reveals Bangladesh government attempts to remove tweets Social media continues to be key terrain of Bangladesh government's attempts to silence alternative views. Netra News December 3rd 2022
Analysis Proposed law grants Bangladesh government new powers to require people to remove social media content If enacted, the new law could drastically increase censorship in the country. Netra News November 25th 2022
Analysis Attempt to close YouTube channel of Bangladeshi dissident in France part of ongoing conspiracy to break US law Action needed to stop widespread breaking of US law, as Bangladesh authorities seek to censor dissidents outside Bangladesh. Netra News November 4th 2022
Netra Report RAB procures Telegram interceptor A shadowy business conglomerate supplies interception and surveillance tools to Bangladesh’s security and intelligence agencies. Netra News October 3rd 2022
Analysis UK Labour party leader silent on whether he raised human rights with Bangladesh prime minister at meeting The head of UK’s main opposition party seems to have breached party’s own commitment to “advocate for human rights at every bilateral diplomatic meeting”. Netra News October 2nd 2022
Analysis Fact-checking BBC's interview with Hasina An interview about Queen Elizabeth II turned into a difficult interview for Sheikh Hasina, prime minister of Bangladesh, tackling questions about democracy and disappearances. Netra News September 19th 2022
Analysis The Shakedown of Yunus Bangladeshi anti-corruption agency’s new allegations of money laundering and coercion indicate how the government still views the Nobel Peace Prize winner as a threat. Netra News September 14th 2022
Netra Report Bachelet calls for “impartial, independent” investigation of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances United Nations high commissioner for human rights says that she raised “deep concern” with the government over “serious allegations”. Netra News August 17th 2022
নেত্র প্রতিবেদন আয়নাঘর: ডিজিএফআইয়ের গোপন বন্দীশালা আয়নাঘর নামে বাংলাদেশের সামরিক গোয়েন্দা সংস্থা ডিজিএফআই পরিচালিত একটি গোপন বন্দীশালার কথা প্রকাশ করেছেন দুই জন ভুক্তভোগী। Netra News August 16th 2022
Netra Report Secret prisoners of Dhaka Survivors blow the lid off a secret prison operated by the DGFI, Bangladesh’s notorious military intelligence agency. Netra News August 14th 2022
Netra Report Censoring the indigenous Bangladesh’s information ministry orders television stations not to use the term “indigenous” to describe the ethnic communities in the country. Netra News August 1st 2022
Analysis Another Bachelet blunder in the offing? Some Bangladeshi rights advocates claim that Bachelet’s visit will only act to help the government to cover up its dire human rights record. Netra News June 21st 2022
Netra Report Top UN human rights official to visit Bangladesh Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will raise issues of extrajudicial killings, disappearances and freedom of expression. Netra News May 23rd 2022
নেত্র প্রতিবেদন ইসরায়েলি স্পাইওয়্যার: সেনাবাহিনীর দাবি আবারও প্রত্যাখ্যান জাতিসংঘের নজরদারির যন্ত্রপাতি কিনতে বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনীর সাথে চুক্তি থাকার কথা দ্বিতীয়বারের মতো অস্বীকার করেছে জাতিসংঘের শান্তিরক্ষা কর্মসূচি বিভাগ। Netra News February 28th 2021
কার্টুন ভাস্কর্য বিতর্ক খবর: হেফাজতে ইসলামের আমির জুনাইদ বাবুনগরী বলেছেন, “কেউ যদি আমার আব্বার ভাস্কর্য স্থাপন করে, সর্বপ্রথম আমি আমার আব্বার ভাস্কর্যকে ছিঁড়ে, টেনে-হিঁচড়ে ফেলে দেব।” Netra News November 28th 2020