Bangladesh is set to hold an election on January 7, which is criticized as a farcical event with the Awami League ensuring its continued rule through tactics such as jailing opposition members, using dummy candidates, and threatening voters. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, having boycotted previous elections due to fears of rigging, faces a similar dilemma. The Awami League aims to create the appearance of a contested election and a high voter turnout by threatening the loss of financial benefits to millions. The election is seen as a means to maintain secular authoritarianism with the support of major countries like India, Russia, and China.

Mother’s Boy by Patrick Gale is a biographical novel about the poet Charles Causley, a beloved figure in Britain known for his war poetry and children's verse. The novel explores Causley's life in Launceston, his relationship with his mother, and his experiences during World War II. Gale's work is praised for its quiet yet powerful narrative, skillfully filling in the gaps of Causley's life.

Alfred Chester, an obscure yet significant American writer, is the focus of a new publication by Spuyten Duyvil, which has released his Moroccan correspondence from 1963 to 1965. Despite his limited output and tragic death at 43, Chester was a notable figure in the New York literary scene and the English-speaking community in Tangier, mingling with prominent figures like Paul and Jane Bowles, William Burroughs, and Allen Ginsberg. The letters offer a glimpse into a vibrant period of American culture and the unique, predominantly gay and Jewish literary circle in Tangier.

An Al Jazeera investigation reveals a feud involving Bangladesh’s army chief, General Aziz Ahmed, and his brothers, accused of political and financial corruption. The conflict began with the murder of Hasan Mahedee Munna's uncle in 1996, for which three of Aziz's brothers were convicted. Aziz's rise to power is marked by allegations of using his influence to overturn his brothers' convictions and to target political opponents, including Munna's family. The report suggests a 'mafia state' in Bangladesh, with the army and RAB implicated in personal vendettas.

Since its establishment in 2004, Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been accused of severe human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Initially formed to address security issues, RAB's actions have led to widespread criticism from human rights organizations and allegations of being used for political repression. Despite government promises to curb these abuses, reports of unlawful killings and disappearances have persisted. The article highlights the involvement of high-ranking officials and the lack of accountability for RAB's actions.

An employee of UK-based Bangladeshi businessman Shahid Uddin Khan, Johirul Haque Khandaker, died in custody under suspicious circumstances after being detained for eight months without trial. Khan accuses Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's security adviser, of orchestrating the detentions as part of a campaign of intimidation. The article details the alleged abuse of power, secret detentions, and the subsequent death of Khandaker, while also mentioning the broader context of Khan's business and legal troubles in Bangladesh.

Abdur Razzaq, a senior leader of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami, resigned due to the party's refusal to apologize for supporting the Pakistani military during the 1971 war of liberation. Razzaq had pushed for an apology for 20 years and believes the party should dissolve given its inability to operate due to government restrictions. The Jamaat is accused of atrocities during the war, and its leaders have been executed following convictions by the International Crimes Tribunal. Razzaq, now in self-exile in London, has no plans to start a new political party.

Mohamed Jubair Monir, a US citizen of Bangladeshi descent, was arrested in Bangladesh for alleged war crimes during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. Despite claims that he was only 13 at the time and not in the country for most of the war, Monir is being held in Keraniganj jail and will be tried by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). His family argues the arrest is politically motivated, linked to his meeting with an opposition BNP leader. The ICT, criticized for unfairness, has convicted 75 men, with 53 death sentences. Monir's daughter provided documents to assert his innocence, while his lawyer demands his immediate release. The US has not been allowed consular access to Monir, who is expected before the ICT on January 20.

Former Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Surendra Kumar Sinha, claims in his autobiography 'A Broken Dream: Rule of Law, Human Rights & Democracy' that he was forced to resign by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) under government orders. Sinha alleges that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other officials pressured him to rule in favor of the government in a case regarding the power to dismiss judges. The government and its supporters criticized Sinha, accusing him of corruption after he ruled against them. Sinha, now in Canada, describes his experience as state terrorism and compares it to the Gestapo, asserting that his impartial rulings ultimately led to his character assassination by the media at the government's behest.

The article investigates the alleged extrajudicial killings of activists in Bangladesh amid the government's war on drugs. It highlights the case of Alamgir Hossain Badsha, whose death is contested by his family and authorities. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is accused of fabricating stories and targeting opposition activists. Human rights organizations and international bodies have condemned the killings, while the government maintains its stance on combating drug-related crimes. The article suggests that the government's actions may be politically motivated to instill fear and suppress dissent.

The imprisonment of Khaleda Zia, leader of Bangladesh's main opposition party, is described by UK lawyer Lord Alex Carlile as a politically motivated act lacking sufficient evidence. Carlile argues that the government aims to prevent Zia from campaigning in the upcoming elections. Zia and her son Tarique Rahman were convicted of embezzling funds meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust. The BNP's participation in the December elections hinges on Zia's release and a fair voting process. Bangladesh's law minister declined to comment on Carlile's allegations, while previously criticizing the BNP for hiring him.

An agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar for the repatriation of over 600,000 Rohingya refugees has been criticized for absolving Myanmar's security forces of responsibility and endangering the Rohingya. Bangladesh's opposition party and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have raised concerns about the safety and feasibility of the repatriation, given the ongoing persecution and destruction of Rohingya villages in Myanmar. The agreement's requirement for proof of residency is seen as an unrealistic barrier for many refugees. The international community, including the UN and the US, has labeled Myanmar's actions as ethnic cleansing.

Authorities in Bangladesh have initiated a new investigation into the financial affairs of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, his family, and the Grameen Bank. The National Bureau of Revenue has requested detailed financial information from banks, following a previous court case against Yunus for alleged tax evasion. The investigation is seen by some as part of a political feud between Yunus and the ruling Awami League, which began when Yunus attempted to form a rival political party in 2007. The government denies any harassment, stating the inquiries are standard financial procedures.

A new law in Bangladesh regulating foreign-funded NGOs is criticized for intimidating groups critical of the government. The law allows the NGO bureau to suspend or close NGOs making derogatory remarks about constitutional bodies. Critics, including Transparency International and Human Rights Watch, argue the law suppresses free expression and targets rights-based organizations. The government defends the law, stating NGOs do not have the right to criticize constitutional bodies. The law is part of a broader crackdown on free expression, with recent arrests of journalists and activists. Concerns are raised about the potential misuse of the law to control civil society.

The family of Rashedun Nabi Bhuiyan, arrested for the murder of secular blogger Nazimuddin Samad, claims he is innocent, stating he was in Comilla at the time of the murder in Dhaka. Despite the family's assertions and attempts to file a police report, Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police maintains that Bhuiyan was arrested in Dhaka and is involved in the crime. Bhuiyan is also linked to the banned Ansar al-Islam group and the murder of two LGBT activists. Reports of secret detentions in Bangladesh have increased following a July attack in Dhaka, with the government intensifying counter-terrorism efforts.

Authorities in Bangladesh have detained the sons of two opposition politicians convicted of war crimes during the 1971 war of independence. Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of the late Salauddin Quader Chowdhury of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and Mir Ahmed Bin Quasem, son of Mir Quasem Ali of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, were taken by men in civilian clothes without arrest warrants. The detentions come amid increased reports of alleged detentions and extra-judicial killings by law enforcement in response to recent attacks, including the Holey Artisan Bakery attack. Government officials have denied knowledge of the detentions.

Nine suspected gunmen were killed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police in an operation named Storm 26 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The suspects, believed to be university students, were engaged in a gun battle after a routine block raid. One additional suspect survived and was hospitalized. The incident occurred a month after an ISIL-claimed attack in Dhaka, which heightened concerns about radicalization among Bangladeshi youth.

Bangladesh's High Court dismissed a long-standing petition that challenged the constitutional recognition of Islam as the state religion. The court ruled that the petitioning group, the Committee against Autocracy and Communalism, lacked the standing to be heard. The petition, filed in 1988, argued that having a state religion contradicts Bangladesh's secular founding principles. The current government's 2011 constitutional amendment retained Islam as the state religion while emphasizing secularism and equality for other religions. Critics argue that the government's stance on secularism versus state religion is driven by political motives to maintain power. The dismissal prevents the government from having to take a clear position on the issue, which could have political repercussions.

In 1971, Bengali nationalists fought for independence from Pakistan, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh. The conflict saw significant atrocities, including genocide against the Hindu population by the Pakistani Army and pro-Pakistani militias. Efforts to bring perpetrators to justice have been ongoing, with the current government establishing tribunals in 2010 that have convicted 26 people. The trials, though popular in Bangladesh, have faced international criticism for lacking due process. The Awami League views the genocide as a key part of national liberation, leading to proposed legislation to criminalize denial of the genocide, similar to Holocaust denial laws in Europe.

The article discusses the aftermath of the 1971 war of independence in Bangladesh, which led to the country's separation from Pakistan. It highlights the brutal conflict that resulted in a large number of deaths and atrocities, including genocide against the Hindu population. The focus is on the efforts to bring justice to the perpetrators through the establishment of two International Crimes Tribunals by the Bangladeshi government in 2010. These tribunals have convicted 26 individuals for genocide and crimes against humanity, with some already executed and others awaiting the outcome of appeals. The trials have been popular in Bangladesh, despite international criticism regarding due process.

The central bank governor of Bangladesh, Atiur Rahman, resigned following a cyber-heist where hackers stole $81 million from a US account. The theft, which involved the US Federal Reserve Bank in New York, was not communicated to the finance minister promptly, leading to significant criticism. Preliminary investigations suggest hackers accessed Bangladesh Bank’s systems to execute the theft. The government plans to sue the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, although the bank denies any system compromise. Rahman has been replaced by Fazle Kabir.

The British government released a report critical of Bangladesh's election commission's ability to conduct free and fair elections. The report, written by governance consultant Hannah Roberts and commissioned by the UK's Department for International Development, led to reduced financial support from international donors and highlighted issues such as lack of broad participation in elections, the election commission's failure to address fraud, and the influence of ruling parties on the commission's operations. The release followed an appeal by a journalist to the Information Commissioner’s Office. Bangladesh's election commission secretary, Sirajul Islam, denied the allegations of partiality and ineffectiveness.

The UK government has refused to release a full report critical of Bangladesh's 2014 election, citing potential offense to the Bangladeshi government. The election, marked by violence and boycotted by opposition parties, led to significant international financial support being cut. The report, partially disclosed, highlighted electoral violations and ballot stuffing. The decision to withhold the full report has been criticized by various stakeholders, including the Election Commission of Bangladesh, which dismissed the report as politically motivated.

Bangladesh's war crimes court sentenced former cabinet member Syed Mohammad Qaisar to death for atrocities during the 1971 War of Independence. The International Crimes Tribunal has convicted 15 individuals, with 12 receiving death sentences. The trials, supported by a majority of Bangladeshis, face criticism from international human rights organizations for lacking fair trial standards. The Jamaat-e-Islami party, whose leaders have been convicted, claims the trials are politically motivated. Despite international criticism, many in Bangladesh believe the trials are just and necessary for accountability.

In Bangladesh, a surge in 'forced disappearances' has been reported, with victims often linked to the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Sajedul Islam Sumon and others were abducted by men, some in Rapid Action Battalion uniforms, and remain missing. Human rights organizations Odhikar and Ain-o-Salish Kendra have documented numerous abductions by law enforcement, with few returning and some found dead. Despite national outcry and a High Court intervention leading to the detention of nine RAB officers, accountability is scarce. Families, like Sumon's and Adnan Chowdhury's, have been denied proper police complaints and remain without answers. Amnesty International has condemned the disappearances and criticized the government's lack of accountability.

Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion discovered a significant cache of ammunition, including 250 anti-tank explosives and 200 rockets, in the Satchharhi forests near the Indian border. The operation, led by Shaminul Rahman and Ziaul Ahsan, is part of routine efforts to locate illegal arms. The ammunition, estimated to be 8-10 years old, may be linked to separatist groups like the United Liberation Front of Assam or the All Tripura Tiger Force, though no definitive source has been identified yet.

The discovery of the bodies of seven men, including businessman Nazrul Islam, has brought intense scrutiny on Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) for alleged extra-judicial killings. The incident has led to the arrest of senior RAB officers and calls from the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the force to be disbanded. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Odhikar, have long accused RAB of serious human rights violations. The government maintains that the investigation is proceeding according to law, but there are calls for broader inquiries into past allegations against RAB. The political fallout is significant, with implications for both the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP.

The article discusses the controversial Bangladesh war crimes tribunal, focusing on the case of Shukhoranjan Bali, a defense witness who disappeared and later surfaced in an Indian prison. Bali's allegations of abduction by Bangladeshi police raise serious questions about the tribunal's integrity. The tribunal, established by the Awami League-led government, has convicted several leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami for crimes during the 1971 independence war. Human Rights Watch has called for UN intervention to ensure Bali's safety, highlighting concerns about the trial process and the conduct of various parties involved.