Stories about Bangladesh
A Year of Violence in Bangladesh
Groups linked to ISIS, Ansar Al Islam or Ansarullah Bangla Team have claimed responsibility for violent attacks on intellectuals and regular citizens. What does this mean for the future?
Bangladesh Introduces ‘Smart’ National Identity Cards
Collecting massive amounts of personal and biometric data opens up thorny issues around security and surveillance. As the database is built up, who will gain access to it?
Netizen Report: Bangladesh and Ethiopia Flip the Switch on Internet as Political Tensions Rise
Web blocking continues to plague Bangladesh and Ethiopia, Peru drops US $22 million on spyware, and sharing just might become a crime in Colombia.
Bangladesh Shuts Down the Internet, Then Orders Blocking of 35 News Websites
“As part of the ongoing exercise, all sorts of Internet connections will be suspended for a short period anytime at any place in the country.”
In Bangladesh, Extremists Use Social and Mainstream Media Data to Target Victims
A series of killings have alarmed critics and intellectuals about the power that main stream and social media sites possess.
Netizen Report: LGBT News Site Editor is Latest Victim of Attacks on Bangladeshi Intellectuals
The assault on free thinking continues in Bangladesh, Mexico's Supreme Court upholds the "Stalker Law", and WhatsApp faces another shutdown in Brazil.
Xulhaz Mannan, an LGBT Activist in Bangladesh, Is the Latest Victim in a String of Brutal Killings
Since 2005, at least 23 bloggers and activists have been killed and scores of others attacked or threatened with death for their progressive and secular views.
A University Professor Is Hacked to Death, Another Victim of Deadly Intolerance in Bangladesh
Rezaul Karim Siddique joins a long list of intellectuals, bloggers and foreigners who have lost their lives in similar killings purportedly carried out by Islamist militants.
LGBT Activists Arrested at Bengali New Year March, Later Released
Police held five persons for reportedly suspicious behaviour, alleging that they were trying to initiate a "gay rally".
Secular Activist Targeted and Killed in Bangladesh
The 28-year-old law student was murdered by three assailants in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 7, 2016. The young man was most likely targeted for his critiques of religious conservatism.
Bangladeshi Authorities Arrest Publisher and Shut Down Book Fair Booth for ‘Hurting Religious Sentiments’
Bangladesh’s constitution enshrines the right to free expression, and atheists have the same rights as other citizens. But authorities have done little to stop attacks against those critical of religion.
Why I Went Into Exile: A Bangladeshi Blogger Tells His Story
"...[the assailants] want our keyboards, pens to stop...Now its the time to write even more...Otherwise the darkness will win, religious fundamentalism and extremism will win."
Bangladesh Will Demand Biometric Data From All SIM Card Users
The scheme will create a massive database of citizens' communications data that could give the government unprecedented access to the mobile communications of Bangladeshi citizens.
Bangladesh Unblocks All Social Media Services (For Now)
Contradictory statements from authorities have left many Bangladeshis wondering what was behind the ban on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and other major communications platforms.
Netizen Report: ‘Terrorist Threat’ or Political Speech? States Target Social Media Post-Paris
Saudi threatens to sue anyone who compares its penal system to ISIS, China cuts mobile phone service for ethnic minorities and Google goes to bat for fair use.
Bangladesh Keeps Blocking Social Media, Threatens New Surveillance Tactics
With the lack of accountability shown by the government, a move towards more stringent controls of the Internet is worrying for the state of free expression in the country.
With Messaging Apps Still Banned, Bangladeshis Turn to Tor (and Twitter)
It is not clear whether the government has blocked the Facebook portal or banned the use of Facebook altogether.
Bangladesh Book Publishers Suffer Fatal Attacks in Wake of Blogger Killings
Both publishers had ties with Bangladeshi-American blogger and author Avijit Roy, who was attacked and killed in February 2015.
Netizen Report: Authorities Finally Take Action on Bangladesh Blogger Killings
Censorship spikes in Turkey and Tunisia, net neutrality takes a hit in Mexico, and Germany puts food porn under copyright lock-and-key.
Bangladesh Police Chief Tells Bloggers, “Don't Cross the Line”
"Those who illogically write against religion in blogs are also extremists," said a high police official.
