Netra Report Claims of sectarian motives in nine Hindu deaths falter under scrutiny The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council’s claims that the deaths of nine Hindu men in August were part of anti-Hindu “communal atrocities” in Bangladesh don’t hold up to scrutiny. Aaqib Md Shatil October 30th 2024
Netra Report In a classic bank scandal, Sheikh Hasina’s hidden hand Soon after Mohammad Atiqullah Khan Masud, a pro-Awami League media tycoon, died, his company became a loan defaulter. But he left paper trails showing how Sheikh Hasina personally intervened to rescue her troubled ally via a powerful intermediary. Netra News October 19th 2024
Netra Report Joy hires Washington lobbyist tied to Trump Sheikh Hasina’s son has been leading the Awami League’s public relations counteroffensive in the media — now, he is funding lobbyists close to Donald Trump. Netra News October 3rd 2024
Netra Report How a media mogul bankrolled covert pro-Hasina campaign How a liberal Bangladeshi publisher risked violating laws to secretly fund a campaign through far-right influence to bolster Sheikh Hasina’s standing in Washington DC. Netra News September 26th 2024
Netra Report Students Against Discrimination propose interim government with Yunus as chief Yunus has agreed to the proposal. Netra News August 6th 2024
Netra Report Police retreat from Dhaka’s streets as students call for government resignation Bangladesh police rolling back its presence from Dhaka could complicate the government’s handling of the protests Netra News August 3rd 2024
Netra Report Bangladesh’s protests refuse to subside as police open fire Following a week-long break, protesters continue to show up in Bangladesh, posing an ever greater challenge to the rule of Sheikh Hasina Netra News August 3rd 2024
Netra Report Bangladesh student leaders call for UN action From a secret hideout, three of Bangladesh’s student protest leaders have called on the international community to hold members of the country’s security forces accountable for what has been described as a massacre of students. Netra News July 27th 2024
Netra Report UN experts, human rights chief condemn Bangladesh crackdown 19 UN experts and the top UN human rights official release back-to-back statements condemning the Bangladesh government’s violent crackdown on protests. Aaqib Md Shatil July 26th 2024
Netra Report Bangladesh reinstates fixed-line internet at select locations Nationwide internet shutdown continues, but some places of strategic value to the government have connections restored Netra News July 24th 2024
Netra Report Scenes from a besieged city Photos from July 18th to July 20th: A Netra News photographer on the ground in Dhaka has been documenting the ongoing student protests and the government’s brutal crackdown against the protesters. Netra News July 21st 2024
Netra Report Key events from a deadly Saturday in besieged Bangladesh The ongoing protests in Bangladesh have resulted in at least 138 deaths, as the government faces severe pressure as public anger continues to escalate Netra News July 20th 2024
Netra Report Bangladesh protest leader vows to ignore curfew, observe complete shutdown Nahid Islam calls on the international community to “come forward, stand beside and support the protesting students in whatever way possible.” Netra News July 19th 2024
Netra Report Violent threats against Bangladesh protesters went unchecked on Facebook Facebook took days, if they detected them at all, to identify clear incitements to violence against protesters in Bangladesh by ruling party supporters Netra News July 19th 2024
Netra Report Scores dead as Bangladeshi authorities intensify crackdown on protests Latest updates from the besieged capital of Bangladesh. Netra News July 19th 2024
Netra Report At least 26 killed in single day of student protests in Bangladesh A list of deaths verified by Netra News reporters. Netra News July 18th 2024
Netra Report Notes from a campus under siege How attacks on students at Jahangirnagar University unfolded. Netra News July 18th 2024
Netra Report A “death squad” in blue helmets How members of the Rapid Action Battalion, a Bangladeshi “death squad”, become United Nations peacekeepers — investigation by Netra News, Deutsche Welle and Süddeutsche Zeitung. Netra News May 24th 2024
Netra Report EC dashboard records 28% voter turnout Massive voter apathy in Bangladesh leads to lowest turnout in decades. Netra News January 7th 2024
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
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
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
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
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
Netra Report UN rapporteurs claim prime minister’s son was part of government's “smear campaign” concerning enforced disappearances Bangladeshi state agencies also accused of “heinous” harassment by distorting images of female relatives of the disappeared and claiming them to be “prostitutes”. David Bergman March 4th 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
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
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
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
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
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
Netra Report Brad Adams: “Sheikh Hasina knows about extrajudicial killings” Former director of HRW Asia division accuses Sheikh Hasina of knowing about disappearances and extrajudicial killings, and turning a blind eye. Netra News July 7th 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
Netra Report WHO: Covid-19 deaths in Bangladesh five times higher than official numbers Bangladesh not alone in underestimating the number of Covid-19 deaths. Netra News May 5th 2022
Netra Report Leaked documents: RAB abducted Ilias Ali RAB-1: “If scrutinised closely, one can understand that [the disappearance of Ilias Ali] was a well-planned mission” that was “evidently carried out by RAB’s intelligence wing.” Netra News April 21st 2022
Netra Report Sanctioned businessmen serving as Bangladesh’s honorary consuls Bangladesh’s honorary consuls in Belarus and Saint Petersburg (Russia) have been sanctioned by multiple Western states. Netra News April 14th 2022
Netra Report UN committee calls for response from Bangladesh government on torture The Bangladesh government is two years late in responding to a highly critical report published by the UN Committee on Torture (CAT). Netra News March 29th 2022
Netra Report Bangladesh government hires US law firm In its attempt to reverse the US sanctioning of RAB, the Bangladesh government has hired a new law firm at a cost of $240,000. Netra News February 24th 2022
Netra Report Bangladesh embassy removes inaccurate statement as US congressman supports sanctions against RAB A Congress aide says that there will be “a lot more consequences” if elections are not “free, fair and credible”. Netra News February 6th 2022
Netra Report Bangladesh government’s “political propaganda” in the United States Read the documents sent out by the US lobbyist in 2021 seeking to promote the Bangladesh government in the United States. Netra News January 15th 2022
Netra Report Police pressure families of the disappeared Families of disappeared say that Bangladesh police are trying to mislead UN bodies by pressing them to retract claims. Netra News January 13th 2022
Netra Report Awami League government spent $2.4 million on US government lobbying Reports filed by lobbying firm show that Bangladesh government has regularly paid $320,000 per year to one firm to lobby the US government. Netra News January 7th 2022
Netra Report Benazir: “We are victims of lies, falsehood and deceit” After the US sanctions, Bangladesh’s police chief defends himself and RAB, blaming human rights groups and “anti-state” elements. Netra News January 6th 2022
Netra Report Aziz does not deny central allegation in Al Jazeera film Former Bangladesh army chief acknowledges his brother falsified passport and other documents. Netra News January 3rd 2022
Netra Report UN working group: Bangladesh government uses “enforced disappearance to target political opponents or other dissidents” Letter sent to Bangladesh government contains damning allegations of human rights violations. Netra News December 23rd 2021
Netra Report UN human rights office: Allegations against RAB “relevant consideration” for peacekeeping deployment UN Human Rights deputy spokesperson comments on RAB and peacekeeping. Netra News December 21st 2021
Netra Report US sanctions on RAB: Key facts and analysis What you need to know about the imposition of US sanctions on Bangladesh’s elite law enforcement unit. Netra News December 13th 2021
Netra Report US Government sanctions RAB, Bangladesh police chief In major policy shift, the United States imposes sanctions on Bangladesh’s notorious law enforcement unit and its current and former commanders. Netra News December 10th 2021
Netra Report Facebook took at least six days to remove video that triggered deadly communal violence in Bangladesh Social media company claims that a “dedicated team” took aggressive action to remove content inciting violence. Netra News November 7th 2021
Netra Report Facebook: Account set up in the name of Kanak Sarwar’s sister removed for “inauthentic behaviour” “The case against Nusrat Shahrin Raka was based on faked evidence,” says media watchdog. Netra News October 18th 2021
Netra Report Al Jazeera film on Bangladesh wins prestigious investigative award Award jury praised “All the Prime Minister’s Men” as providing “a unique insight into a state captured by organized crime and corruption”. Netra News October 12th 2021
Netra Report Bangladesh court remands sister of outspoken US-based dissident into custody Kanak Sarwar accused the government of seeking to silence him, but says his sister’s detention would not stop his criticisms. Netra News October 7th 2021
Netra Report Submission calls on UK government to sanction “leading members of the Bangladesh government” Bangladeshi politicians vulnerable to UK government travel and financial sanctions due to role in extrajudicial killings. Netra News August 26th 2021
Netra Report Power corruption: All the state minister’s men In a classic self-dealing scheme, a Bangladeshi minister assists a front company controlled by his own close aides and family members to clinch a $305 million deal in partnership with Marubeni and Vitol. Nazmul Ahasan August 13th 2021
Netra Report YouTube restores Netra News channel Publication of a report on alleged corruption involving a Bangladeshi minister triggers false copyright claims to YouTube. Netra News August 13th 2021
Netra Report Army chief helped get presidential remission for his batchmate connected to the Freedom Party Bangladesh’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, co-signed the remission for a man who ran the businesses of those guilty of conspiring to assassinate her father. Netra News May 31st 2021
Netra Report Awami League’s trusted man in Budapest Bangladesh Army criticisms of the whistleblower in Al Jazeera’s film conflict with his role hosting ministers in Hungary over a five year period. Netra News March 11th 2021
Netra Report UN refutes Bangladesh Army spyware claims again The UN Department of Peace Operations denies for a second time that it had any agreement with the Bangladesh Army to purchase surveillance equipment. Netra News February 28th 2021
Netra Report UN denies army’s claim about Israeli spyware, calls for corruption investigations Al Jazeera film starts to have political impact as UN spokesperson puts spotlight on Bangladesh. Netra News February 5th 2021
Netra Report Biden administration criticised for meetings with General Aziz Rights groups concerned that meetings could act as endorsement of Chief of Army Staff, at centre of corruption allegations. Netra News February 4th 2021
Netra Report The murder trial of the three Ahmed brothers What happened in the court proceedings that resulted in the convictions of the Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff’s brothers. Netra News February 2nd 2021
Netra Report Investigative documentary blows the lid off corruption at the heart of Bangladesh government Al Jazeera exposes network of political and financial corruption centred around Bangladesh’s army chief, implicating the prime minister. Netra News February 1st 2021
Netra Report Police troubles: IGP vs. Commissioner A power struggle at the top of Bangladesh’s police service leads to the transfer of two police officers in opposing camps. Netra News October 25th 2020
Netra Report Sinha Murder: Allegations of gruesome torture on detained police officers in RAB custody “They gave us electric shocks. To the ears and other places. Ripped off chest hair. Gave us injections. We were hung by our hands from the ceiling. Beat mercilessly…” Netra News September 5th 2020
Netra Report DGFI: Retired Bangladesh army major shot dead in police “killing competition” A leaked confidential intelligence agency report claims that the retired army major came out of his car with hands above his head. Netra News August 3rd 2020
Netra Report We hack Facebook: State-sponsored cybercrime in Bangladesh Directorate General of Forces Intelligence accused of hacking and cyber crimes; “our boys and girls [hack Facebook]”, boasts the Bangladeshi telecom and ICT minister. Netra News May 30th 2020
Netra Report New predictive modelling supports strategy of intermittent relaxing of Bangladesh lockdown Total number of Covid-19 deaths could be kept below 5,000 say team of international academics Netra News May 28th 2020
Netra Report Epidemiological report: Relaxing the lockdown in Bangladesh could have serious consequences Modelling by MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis suggests loosening of Bangladesh lockdown could result in daily infections increasing 18-fold. Netra News May 21st 2020
Netra Report Crackdown against critical voices Rapid Action Battalion targets journalists, writers, activists and businessmen using the controversial Digital Security Act. Netra News May 7th 2020
Netra Report Covid-19: Sudden spike in the number of recovered in Bangladesh Total number of recovered rises to 1063 from 177 in less than 24 hours. Netra News May 4th 2020
Netra Report Covid-19: Rohingya refugees fear being killed by medical staff in camps Lack of trust between the Rohingyas and healthcare providers must be urgently addressed to ensure effective Covid-19 treatment in the refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh. Netra News April 16th 2020
Netra Report Covid-19: Transmission spreads in Dhaka cantonment Those infected include eight officers from the Army Medical Corps. Netra News April 14th 2020
Netra Report Covid-19: United Nations coordination group voices concerns about government preparations in Rohingya camps Limited testing, lack of oxygen supplies, no intensive care capacity and mobile phone restrictions amongst concerns set out in UN report. Netra News April 11th 2020
Netra Report First case of Covid-19 infection in Bangladesh Army Army Medical Corps officer, on duty at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka, tested positive for Covid-19. Netra News April 8th 2020
Netra Report Covid-19: Bangladesh in urgent need of personal protective equipment for hospitals United Nations situation report notes quickly depleting stock of PPE and N95 masks. Netra News April 7th 2020
Netra Report United Nations interagency Covid-19 memo: Without interventions, “upto 2 million” people may die in Bangladesh Leaked UN interagency memo led by WHO predicts “complete saturation” of the health system early in the Covid-19 epidemic and “rampant” exposure of healthcare workers in Bangladesh. Netra News March 28th 2020
Netra Report Brac University attempts to restrict access to Bangladesh Covid-19 report Bangladesh Covid-19 report removed from Scribd at the request of Brac James P Grant School of Public Health — Netra News is now making available a redacted copy of the report. Netra News March 27th 2020
Netra Report Researcher in trouble for co-authoring Bangladesh Covid-19 projections Brac University to investigate and take action against senior academic for his role in producing Covid-19 forecasts for Bangladesh, based on internationally respected modelling. Netra News March 22nd 2020
Netra Report Covid-19: Without government action, over 500,000 may die in Bangladesh According to a forecast by epidemiologists and public health academics, 81% of the entire population of Bangladesh may get infected by Covid-19, with 80,796 deaths on a single day. Netra News March 21st 2020
Netra Report Cashing in influence Sheikh Hasina’s aide and influential members of parliament are among the powerful backers of the controversial company behind the digital financial service Nagad. Netra News March 6th 2020
Netra Report The general and the casino don BGB officers accuse Major General Shafeenul Islam of criminal ties with Selim Prodhan. Netra News February 21st 2020
Netra Report Rupa Huq MP: Bangladesh is a “rogue state” In an unusual intervention, the Bangladeshi origin British Labour MP strongly criticised the Awami League’s human rights record and the party’s hagiography towards its leaders. Netra News February 14th 2020
Netra Report Sheikh Taposh’s magic money tree Why a dubious fish farm, which catapulted Awami League’s mayoral candidate for Dhaka South, into the category of Bangladesh’s super rich, requires investigation. Netra News January 23rd 2020
Netra Report Undisclosed business: Tabith Awal’s company in Singapore BNP’s mayoral candidate for Dhaka North fails to disclose ownership of a foreign company in his affidavit to the Election Commission of Bangladesh. Netra News January 16th 2020
Netra Report Medical Board: Khaleda in “crippled state” The Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court refused bail after receiving a medical board report referring to Khaleda’s serious health condition. Netra News January 16th 2020
Netra Report Obaidul Quader’s wristwatch troubles As the influential minister admits to receiving expensive luxury watches as “gifts”, anti-corruption watchdog demands investigation. Netra News January 11th 2020
Netra Report Koko corruption Corruption of Arafat “Koko” Rahman, according to US court records. Netra News January 4th 2020
Netra Report Khaleda and BNP leaders exonerated by international arbitration tribunal Major corruption trial against BNP leaders in question as international arbitration tribunal finds no corruption in Niko deal, while the Bangladesh government tries to keep the decision away from public eyes. David Bergman January 2nd 2020
Netra Report A wrist of luxury Luxury wristwatches at the centre of new corruption allegation against Obaidul Quader, the Bangladeshi minister of road transport and bridges. Netra News December 27th 2019