The United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHCR) mission has officially commenced operations in Bangladesh following the signing of a three-year memorandum of understanding between Bangladesh and the UNHCR. The agreement aims to provide protection and support in human rights issues, offering training and technical assistance. Since August last year, the UN's involvement in Bangladesh has increased, focusing on human rights promotion, reforms, and fact-finding investigations into crowd suppression incidents, working closely with various stakeholders.

The interim government is making significant changes in three major diplomatic missions. Tareq Md. Ariful Islam, currently serving in Geneva, will be posted to the US. Canada’s Ambassador Nahida Sobhan is being reassigned to Geneva, while former Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin will become the High Commissioner to Canada. The official agreements from the US and Switzerland have already been received, and Canada’s approval is expected soon. The reshuffle follows earlier changes in top diplomatic positions, including the removal of Jashim Uddin as Foreign Secretary in May.

A leaked audio clip has surfaced allegedly implicating Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in planning an attack on an NCP rally in Gopalganj while she was in India. As part of the NCP’s month-long “March for National Reform” campaign, a rally was scheduled for July 16. Prior to the event, a smear campaign spread rumors about grave desecration involving NCP leaders. In the audio, Hasina is heard instructing leaders of the Chhatra League and other affiliated organizations to prevent NCP leaders from leaving the area alive. Following the directive, local leaders including Ataur Rahman Piyal and Newton Molla reportedly carried out attacks on the stage, convoy, and local administration. Senior Awami League figures are believed to have coordinated the assault both domestically and from abroad. NCP’s rally in Shariatpur also faced disruption.

LP Gas Limited, a subsidiary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, will recruit 20 people for six different positions, including office assistant cum computer operator, driver, security guard, operator (operations and re-testing), and electrician. Applicants must be under 32 years of age as of August 18, 2025. Applications must be submitted online, and a fee of BDT 56 is payable through Teletalk. The application window runs from July 20 to August 18, 2025.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain has cautioned political leaders that disunity for personal gain may result in disastrous consequences, some of which are already evident. Addressing a protest in front of the National Press Club, he emphasized that the fight to restore democracy is a national issue, not a local one. He criticized the PR election system and dismissed the idea that local polls could restore democratic governance. Referring to recent violence in Gopalganj, he accused the government of failure and said anti-democratic forces remain active and must be exposed.

Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Coordinator for the southern region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has called on youth to unite and build a policy-oriented, not leader-centric, Bangladesh. Speaking at a rally in Munshiganj, he warned of ongoing conspiracies against the state, emphasizing the urgent need for unity. Northern NCP leader Sarjis Alam added that fascist forces are still active in the country and must be confronted for true independence to be realized. He also demanded justice for political assassins abroad and declared that he wants to see Hasina tried and sentenced.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has warned that failure to issue the ‘July Charter’ this month will fall squarely on the shoulders of the interim government and the Consensus Commission. Speaking at a silent rally organized by Dhaka North BNP to commemorate the martyrs of the 24th mass uprising, he criticized proponents of proportional representation (PR) elections, labeling their motives as insincere. He reiterated that BNP views the interim government as akin to a caretaker administration and accused certain factions of trying to divide democratic forces. He called for a united national front against fascism.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has voiced serious concern over rising extortion and harassment of ordinary citizens through false cases in Chattogram. In a statement signed by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the party urged local authorities to take immediate action. “If security and stability are not ensured in the country’s commercial hub, business and trade will suffer,” Rizvi warned. BNP also called on businesses and citizens to resist criminal elements.

As part of its nationwide campaign demanding implementation of the ‘July Charter’, the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) will organize a march in Chattogram on Sunday, July 20. Party leaders including Convener Nahid Islam, Secretary Akhter Hossain, Chief Organizer Hasnat Abdullah, and Sarjis Alam will lead the event. Chattogram coordinator Zubairul Hasan Arif stated that the two-day program will cover Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, and Chattogram districts. The march will begin in Cox’s Bazar on July 19, pass through Bandarban and Rangamati, and conclude in central Chattogram on July 20. Preparations are reportedly complete.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) alleges that former Prime Minister Imran Khan is being held in a "death cell" under inhumane conditions, with no access to his lawyers or family members. The party claims Khan is kept in solitary confinement for 22 hours a day, without permission to read newspapers or watch television—conditions they describe as psychological torture and a violation of human rights. PTI also highlighted the deteriorating health and mistreatment of its other detained leaders, accusing authorities of ignoring court directives regarding visitation rights.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), declared that their struggle will continue until “Mujibism” and fascism are eradicated. Speaking at a street rally in Munshiganj on Friday, he said legal action and intimidation cannot suppress the NCP and that larger movements are on the horizon. Referring to recent attacks in Gopalganj, party leaders demanded the trial and capital punishment of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Northern region leader Sarjis Alam emphasized the need for united resistance, while southern organizer Hasnat Abdullah called for vigilance against domestic and international conspiracies and announced a major protest at the National Martyrs’ Memorial on August 3.

The National Citizen Party’s (NCP) “March to Gopalganj” program on July 16 was violently disrupted, with reports alleging that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, speaking from India, instructed party affiliates via phone to prevent NCP leaders from leaving the city alive.

Student wing Chhatra League reportedly executed the attacks, with its president Saddam Hossain allegedly giving live instructions on Facebook. Police vehicles were set on fire, and gunfire and bomb attacks were reported. Allegations suggest coordination by senior party officials and family members of the Prime Minister.

BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince criticized NCP leaders for their lack of political maturity, claiming this forced them to retreat in military vehicles and weakened the overall momentum of the protest movement.

Speaking at a party meeting in Dobaura, Mymensingh, Prince alleged a deliberate attempt is underway to incite conflict and disrupt the electoral process. He warned that any deviation from a neutral election could lead to national instability and added that an unelected interim government would be disastrous for the country.

In a protest rally on July 17, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders condemned the attack on an NCP rally in Gopalganj, calling it a sign of government weakness and the Home Advisor's failure.

Naib-e-Ameer Dr. Taher labeled the advisor as "Mr. Helpless" and demanded his removal. Party Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said the attack aimed to sabotage the upcoming national rally on July 19. They warned that both assailants and complicit elements within the administration must face justice. Jamaat also hinted at a possible long march and urged public participation in the July 19 rally.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced a target to enroll 10 million new members across the country. Speaking at the launch of a membership drive in Savar on July 17, he instructed party activists to recruit 20,000–25,000 members per upazila.

He called for the inclusion of honest, law-abiding, and socially accepted individuals while warning against giving shelter to criminal elements. Rizvi also labeled the proportional representation (PR) electoral system as misleading and a barrier to grassroots leadership. He accused the ruling Awami League of denying voting rights and fostering insecurity among the population.