United News of Bangladesh

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has said their judicial reform roadmap initiated the transformation of the judiciary as a foundational pillar for other reform efforts. “The profound dialogue and reflection on how inclusive dialogue and transitional justice mechanisms can strengthen national unity and democracy will help us in designing reform processes in Bangladesh,” he said. Two high-level delegations from Bangladesh, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, completed a learning programme in South Africa (May 17–24 May), focused on justice, reconciliation and healing. The exchange, co-facilitated by UNDP and the Commonwealth Secretariat, explored South Africa’s post-apartheid experience in truth-seeking, prosecutions and memorialisation. "Our engagement with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission members, civil society, and victims' families in South Africa reaffirmed that establishing the facts is the foundation for accountability, justice and national healing,” Adviser Asif Nazrul said. UNHCR reports voluntary return of Rohingyas The visit concluded with further engagements in Pretoria and Cape Town, according to UNDP. This initiative is part of UNDP’s broader support to Bangladesh’s judiciary, promoting justice, accountability and inclusive governance. The programme included meetings with victims’ groups, justice and human rights institutions, civil society, and former Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) members. It reflected Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening social cohesion and democratic reforms following a political transition. At the Constitutional Court, South Africa’s Chief Justice Mandisa Maya praised Bangladesh’s recent efforts to uphold human rights and strengthen the rule of law. At the Human Rights Commission, discussions focused on institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of serious crimes. UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller said with its broad global expertise and network UNDP is uniquely placed to promote South-South exchanges and facilitate contextually relevant knowledge-sharing that helps countries like Bangladesh advance justice and governance reforms. “Learning from lived experiences, reflections amongst peers and listening to victims’ unaddressed grievances was invaluable.”

Around 82 Rohingya individuals spontaneously returned to Maungdaw, Myanmar from May 12 to 18, motivated by intentions to restart their businesses and resume farming their land, according to a document published by the UN Refugee Agency - UNHCR. This is the first case of voluntary return of Rohingyas to Myanmar since 2017, a senior official told UNB referring to the UNHCR document published on May 22. An additional 30-40 Rohingya are expected to return, expressing hope that the Arakan Army (AA) would provide them with some form of documentation, according to the UNHCR updates on the humanitarian cross-border situation in Rakhine and Cox's Bazar. In 2017, an influx of approximately 750,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, triggered by military crackdowns in Rakhine State, crossed the border into Bangladesh. This large-scale displacement added to the already existing Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh, bringing the total number to over a million. Some are reportedly youth who fled forced recruitment in 2024, and now believe the situation in Maungdaw has since improved. The AA is reportedly accepting bribes to allow returns and are questioning returnees about conditions in Cox's Bazar camps and activities of organized groups. "While no coercion has been reported, it remains unclear what assurances, if any, AA has provided to the returnees," the official said quoting the UNHCR document. The AA reportedly detained five individuals (four Bangladeshis and one registered refugee) who entered Myanmar in the reporting week. While the four Bangladeshis were released, the AA are detaining the refugee in custody for suspected links with Rohingya organized groups RSO and ARSA, demonstrating AA's heightened suspicion toward cross-border movement from Bangladesh to Myanmar. Since January 2024, some 10,291 Myanmar individuals are reported to have faced refoulement-related incidents as they fled Rakhine State to seek safety in Bangladesh, UNHCR said.  Bangladesh in touch with India over push-ins, port-related restrictions: Foreign Adviser Some 2,613 of these refoulement-related incidents occurred in 2025, making up almost a quarter of all such incidents. During the reporting period, 10 individuals (all Rohingya) were reportedly denied access to Bangladesh, 88 per cent less than the previous week (87), including one registered refugee who moved back to Myanmar several years ago but was forced to flee again due to the conflict. UNHCR, together with IOM, DRC and IRC, continues to triangulate information received through border monitoring and community sources to provide an estimate of new arrivals in the camps and host community areas. The reduction may be due to increased restrictions imposed by the Arakan Army (AA) on movement to Bangladesh, according to UNHCR. AA members are reportedly detaining Rohingya attempting to seek safety in Bangladesh, imposing strict restrictions on movement for Rohingya living in Buthidaung. One registered refugee removed from India was released by the District Police in Kurigram and brought to the camps following advocacy by UNHCR and its legal partners. Meanwhile, the UNHCR called on the international community to stand in solidarity with the countries in the region that have been hosting Rohingya refugees. Until the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State is peaceful and conducive to safe and voluntary return, the international community must continue to support efforts to provide life-saving assistance to Rohingya refugees, said the UN agency.  UNHCR requires $383.1 mln in 2025 to stabilize lives of Rohingyas, host communities UNHCR requires $383.1 million in 2025 to stabilize the lives of refugees and their host communities across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and those displaced inside Myanmar. So far, UNHCR said, only 30 percent of this amount has been received.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has called on the international community to stand in solidarity with the countries in the region including Bangladesh that have been hosting Rohingya refugees. Until the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State is peaceful and conducive to safe and voluntary return, the international community must continue to support efforts to provide life-saving assistance to Rohingya refugees, said the UN agency.  Meeting with UNHCR: Foreign Secy highlights negative impacts, reiterates Rohingya repatriation only solution UNHCR requires $383.1 million in 2025 to stabilize the lives of refugees and their host communities across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and those displaced inside Myanmar. So far, only 30 per cent of this amount has been received. The UNHCR is gravely concerned about reports of two boat tragedies off the coast of Myanmar earlier this month, with estimates that 427 Rohingya perished at sea. This would be the deadliest tragedy at sea involving Rohingya refugees attempting to find safety this year. Nearly 1 out of 5 people attempting perilous sea movements in this region have been reported as dead or missing so far in 2025, making the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal waters amongst the deadliest in the world. Details are still being confirmed, but reports suggest that some 514 Rohingya were travelling on two separate boats. The first boat carried 267 people. Among them, over half reportedly left from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh while the remainder departed from Rakhine State in Myanmar. The boat sank on 9 May, with only 66 survivors. The second boat carried 247 Rohingya – also refugees from Cox’s Bazar camps and those fleeing Rakhine State – and capsized on 10 May, with just 21 survivors. UNHCR is working to verify details concerning the survivors. There are reports of a third boat, carrying some 188 Rohingya, which was intercepted leaving Myanmar on 14 May.  UNHCR deplores funding cuts in humanitarian sector putting millions at risk “The dire humanitarian situation, exacerbated by funding cuts, is having a devastating impact on the lives of Rohingya, with more and more resorting to dangerous journeys to seek safety, protection and a dignified life for themselves and their families,” said Hai Kyung Jun, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. “The latest tragedy is a chilling reminder that access to meaningful protection, especially in countries of first asylum, as well as responsibility sharing and collective efforts along sea routes, are essential to saving lives." With the annual monsoon season having already arrived in the region, bringing strong winds, rainfall and rough seas, these boats were travelling at a particularly dangerous time, reflecting the desperation of those making such journeys. Saving lives and rescuing those in distress at sea is a humanitarian imperative and a longstanding duty under international maritime law. UNHCR calls on authorities in the region to take urgent action to prevent future tragedies.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has launched a large-scale hepatitis C “test and treat” campaign in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, aiming to provide care to 30,000 people by the end of 2026 amid an alarming rise in infections and a critical lack of treatment options. The initiative includes the establishment of three specialised treatment centres in Balukhali, Jamtoli, and Hospital on the hill, and will target nearly one-third of all people living with hepatitis C in the camps, according to MSF. Between October 2020 and December 2024, MSF treated over 10,000 patients at its clinics. However, a 2023 study by MSF published in “The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology” revealed that nearly one in five adults in the camps—an estimated 86,000 people—are living with chronic active hepatitis C infection. “Access to hepatitis C care in the camps, where more than a million refugees have been living for the past eight years, has been extremely limited,” said Dr Wasim Firuz, MSF deputy medical coordinator. “Treating hepatitis C is not part of the package of healthcare provided by over-stretched health care facilities. People are also not allowed to freely leave the camps to access healthcare, and even if they could, it’s unlikely they would be able to afford the cost of treatment.” Decades of exposure to unsafe medical practices, including therapeutic injections, have been identified as major causes of the disease's transmission in the camps. MSF’s campaign includes systematic community-based screening, rapid testing, lab confirmation, and curative drug provision, alongside awareness and adherence counselling. “In the absence of other alternatives to hepatitis C care for tens of thousands of people in the camps, we are undertaking this substantial increase in our treatment capacity,” said Dr Firuz. Dr Firuz said that their goal is to reach 30,000 people with curative care by the end of 2026 and this expansion represents a vital step towards preventing the spread of hepatitis C, especially to younger generations.However, MSF acknowledges that limitations in the overall health response, including staff and resource shortages, remain a barrier to long-term impact. “While we are scaling up efforts and working in coordination with other organisations, the limitations within the health response, including insufficient staffing, equipment, and resources among partners, present a significant obstacle,” Dr Firuz added.

Seeking an accelerated  verification process, India has said they have a large number of Bangladeshi nationals - around over 2000 - who are required to be deported after a verification. "We have asked Bangladeshi side to verify their nationality. We have a pending list of 2360.....upwards of 2360 cases of people who are required to be deported," said official Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal. During a regular briefing in New Delhi on Thursday, he also said many of them have actually completed their jail sentences. "And in many cases, the nationality verification is required to be done. It is pending since 2020. So, almost five years have passed," said the MEA Spokesperson. The Indian side urged the Bangladeshi side that they must expedite the verification process so that people who are required to be deported can be sent back to Bangladesh. HRW raises concerns over legislative actions by Bangladesh’s interim govt "They must expedite this process," Spokesperson Jaiswal said. The MEA Spokesperson said the people who are staying in India illegally or foreigners who are staying in India illegally, whether they happen to be Bangladeshi national or any other national, they will be dealt as per law. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said Bangladesh is in touch with India on the recent issues of push-ins. Regarding reported push-ins, Adviser Hossain said communication with New Delhi continues and Dhaka is trying that nothing happens beyond the set mechanisms. “They (India) have conveyed their position to some extent and we explained our position. We are trying to make them understand that this is not right,” he said, referring to a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The Adviser said the Indian side has given Bangladesh a list and Dhaka is verifying it through the Home Ministry. Bangladesh’s position is that it will examine each case separately and will receive only if there is proof that they are Bangladeshi citizens.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday said recent legislative initiatives by Bangladesh’s interim government risk undermining fundamental freedoms. Instead of pursuing its pledge to reform the criminal justice system and bring accountability for serious abuses, the government is attempting to suppress the rights of supporters of the deposed leader, Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League party, the New York-based rights body said in a statement on Thursday. “Sheikh Hasina’s government abused legal powers to silence political opponents, but using similar methods against the supporters of her Awami League party would also violate those same fundamental freedoms,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The draft legislation on enforced disappearances, on the other hand, does little to advance justice or provide answers for the hundreds of victims and families affected by disappearances under Hasina’s rule," Ganguly said. HRW hands over report to Dr Yunus, says Hasina "directly ordered" enforced disappearances, killings On May 12, the interim government ordered a “temporary” ban on the activities of Awami League, using newly introduced powers under a draconian amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act. The ban includes, among other actions, meetings, publications and online speech supporting the party. To build a foundation for the respect of human rights in Bangladesh, the interim government should reverse its actions to protect rights of freedom of expression of Awami League members and supporters, and focus instead on prosecuting members of the former government accused of crimes based on credible evidence, said the rights body. "It should refrain from politically motivated pretrial detentions, and ensure that they remain the exception, only when necessary in an individual case, and not the rule,”  according to the HRW. The priority should be to deliver justice for human rights violations, particularly unlawful killings and enforced disappearances. The government should use evidence gathered by the commission of inquiry to investigate enforced disappearances to prosecute alleged perpetrators, remove suspects in the security forces from active duty, and reveal the fate of the missing, it said. “There is widespread anger against the Awami League for the many abuses committed during Hasina’s rule, but stripping supporters of opposition parties of their rights isn’t a way forward,” said Ganguly. “Instead, the interim government should ensure progress on revealing what happened to the disappeared and holding perpetrators accountable through fair trials.” Lasting reforms needed in Bangladesh to stop abuses: HRW Meanwhile, the draft legislation to address enforced disappearances, which were widespread under the previous government, does not meet international standards and scarcely addresses accountability for past crimes, it added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday assigned Secretary Md Ruhul Alam Siddique to carry out the routine works of the Foreign Secretary until further notice as the Foreign Secretary left his responsibilities. The office order will come into effect on May 23, a senior official at the ministry told UNB, referring to the changes. In September last year, the government appointed Md Jashim Uddin as the 27th Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh. A career diplomat, Jashim joined Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1994. Jashim, from the 13th batch of BCS (Foreign Affairs) Cadre, served extensively both at home and abroad. MoFA cancels Shabab’s transfer as deputy high commissioner in Kolkata, orders to return home Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said there is ‘no issue of removal’ regarding Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin but his responsibility will be changed as he desires to leave the current role. “Actually, there is no issue of removal. He (FS) wants to leave this responsibility for various reasons. He is in the service. The responsibility will change. He will leave his current responsibility within the next couple of days,” Adviser Hossain told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Asad Alam Siam is likely to be the next Foreign Secretary of the country. There will be an acting Foreign Secretary until the appointment of the new a Foreign Secretary. "There was a proposed list of three candidates," a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB on Tuesday, noting that Ambassador Siam is chosen as the senior most of the three candidates. If there is no further change in the government’s decision, Ambassador Siam will be the 28th Foreign Secretary of the country.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Bangladesh Office has requested that the public should remain ‘cautious, verify and report any suspicious offers or messages’ that are being circulated under JICA’s name on online platforms. JICA Bangladesh Office has recently become aware of various fraudulent activities that have been operating on numerous online platforms. “The organisation will remain committed to supporting the development of Bangladesh through transparent and ethical partnerships,” it said on Thursday. The scammers are misusing JICA’s name to endorse fake savings schemes, loan offers and job opportunities. JICA strongly condemned such deceptive practices and urges the public to remain cautious about such offers and messages. JICA signs Tk 6,700 crore loan deals with Bangladesh for 2 projects These scams falsely claim to provide individual loans on behalf of JICA and often request advance fees or loan processing. Some Facebook posts have also provided fictitious savings schemes and employment opportunities in return for money under JICA’s name. JICA strongly condemned these misleading practices and would like to clarify that the organisation neither provides loans to individuals nor charges any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. It said all genuine information about JICA is available through official communication channels.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), has donated 667 metric tonnes of dates to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support Rohingya refugee children living in Bangladesh. At a handover ceremony held in Dhaka on Thursday, officials from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, KSrelief and WFP marked this contribution. The dates will offer much-needed nourishment to Rohingya children attending learning centres as part of WFP’s school feeding programme, which supports 250,000 children going to 3,500 learning centres in both Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. WFP said it urgently requires USD 106 million for its critical Rohingya operations over the next 12 months. Of these, USD 83 million are required to maintain full rations for the entire Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh. While over one million Rohingya refugees remain entirely dependent on humanitarian aid, malnutrition rates within the refugee camps are alarmingly high, reaching over 15 percent among children under five, and rising to 20 percent among children under two. Saudi Arabia’s contribution comes at a critical time. In March, a funding crisis nearly forced WFP to reduce rations by half starting in April. Bangladesh, Malaysia begin Joint Working Group meeting on legal labour migration Thanks to timely support, WFP has been able to avert devastating food ration cuts and maintain the full ration, currently USD 12 per person per month in Cox’s Bazar and USD 13 in Bhasan Char, for over one million Rohingya refugees. However, current funding only secures this assistance until the end of September 2025. "We are proud to stand with the Rohingya people and to support WFP’s efforts to deliver vital food assistance," said, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dhaka, Abdulaziz Fahad M. Al Ibrahim. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, reaffirms its commitment to humanitarian principles and to helping vulnerable communities around the world." “Providing nutritious food to Rohingya children is essential not only for their health, but for their hope and dignity,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Bangladesh Country Director. “We are deeply grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their steadfast support. The Rohingya crisis remains one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian emergencies, and continued international solidarity is critical to sustaining lifesaving assistance.” Saudi Arabia has been a longstanding supporter of WFP’s humanitarian efforts for the Rohingya since 2017, providing both cash and in-kind contributions to sustain food assistance in one of the world’s largest refugee operations.

The third Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting between Bangladesh and Malaysia on safe labour migration and labour market cooperation began on Wednesday at a city hotel, aiming to resume formal labour recruitment. High-level government representatives from both countries are attending the two-day meeting which is expected to end with a formal declaration paving the way for the resumption of legal labour migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia. A seven-member Malaysian delegation, led by Dr Mohd Shaharin bin Umar, Deputy Secretary-General of Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources, is participating in the meeting. Dr Lutfie Siddique, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser on International Affairs, and Dr Neamat Ullah Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment are repsenting the Bangladesh side. Senior officials from the ministry are also attending. Speaking to reporters after the inaugural session, Dr Lutfie Siddique said nearly 8,000 workers—who completed all procedures but could not migrate due to the labour market closure last year—will be sent to Malaysia under government arrangements through BOESL. He noted that while Bangladesh has many recruiting agencies, the Malaysian government prefers to work with a limited number to ensure greater transparency. Discussions are ongoing to streamline and monitor the recruitment process more effectively. Balat Brothers, Ashta Feed sign animal protein export deal Dr Siddique also said Malaysia is considering introducing multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers, a move that signals the country’s commitment to transparent and regulated labour recruitment. Meeting sources highlighted the risks faced by workers who attempt to migrate illegally, including arrest, legal complications, and imprisonment in Malaysia. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to curbing illegal migration and ensuring a safe, legal process for workers. Earlier on May 14, a delegation from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, including Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Dr Lutfie Siddique, Dr Neamat Ullah Bhuiyan, and Deputy Secretary Sarwar Alam, held a joint meeting with Malaysian ministers in Putrajaya. Former BAIRA Secretary General Ali Haider Chowdhury stressed the need to prioritise workers’ safety, job security, and affordable migration costs. BAIRA leader Mobarak Ullah Shimul said previous labour recruitment initiatives followed government-to-government agreements and legal channels, rejecting allegations of human trafficking as unfounded and detrimental to bilateral ties. Another BAIRA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that a faction within the association is obstructing government efforts to reopen the Malaysian labour market due to its involvement in illegal recruitment. He emphasised the need to end such practices, which he said damage Bangladesh’s reputation and Malaysia’s international image.