Bangladesh

ICG's latest "EU Watchlist" report, which identifies areas where the European Union (EU) can enhance prospects for peace, highlights Bangladesh as one of the critical regions requiring international attention.

The actions taken by the interim government in the coming months will determine whether the sacrifices of the Monsoon Revolution pave the way for a brighter future or become a fleeting moment in the nation’s turbulent history.

Tensions reached a boiling point at Rajshahi Railway Station, where angry passengers vandalised the premises after learning of the strike. The protests, which began around 7:00 am, resulted in damaged furniture and heightened tensions. Army personnel were deployed to restore order.

The report states that 54 million students in India alone were impacted, primarily due to severe heatwaves that led to widespread school closures and changes in academic schedules.

With the Trump administration's review of foreign aid policies underway, the future of US-funded programs in Bangladesh remains uncertain.

Human rights activists and legal experts have also welcomed the initiative, emphasising the need for independent oversight to uphold justice and prevent abuse of power.

The 2013 amendment to the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, requiring government approval to investigate politicians or bureaucrats, has been particularly criticized for stifling the ACC’s independence.

For Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest producer of jackfruit, the fruit was a natural choice. Jackfruit is also the country’s national fruit and symbolizes abundance. Yet much of the potential of this fruit remained untapped.