Bangladesh’s Advisory Council has given final approval to the draft of the 'Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025'. Under the new provisions, a tribunal will be empowered to officially declare a person as 'disappeared' if they have been missing for at least five years without returning alive. The decision was made at a council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

According to Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, the government will be able to appoint public prosecutors for the tribunal based on recommendations from the Human Rights Commission. Victims or complainants may also hire private lawyers independently. Additionally, the spouse or dependent family members of a disappeared person will be allowed to use the person’s property without prior permission from the commission.

The ordinance aims to strengthen legal mechanisms for addressing enforced disappearances, a long-standing human rights concern in Bangladesh. Legal experts and rights groups are expected to monitor its implementation closely once enacted.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Dhaka on December 25 after more than 17 years of self-imposed exile in London. Party sources confirmed that his flight will land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:45 a.m., where senior BNP leaders are coordinating with civil aviation authorities to ensure security and protocol arrangements.

Following his arrival, a grand reception is planned on the 300 Feet (Purbachal Road) area of the capital, with BNP activists from Dhaka and nearby districts preparing for large-scale participation. Grassroots enthusiasm has reportedly surged since the announcement, with party leaders calling the event a historic moment in national politics. Rahman will be accompanied by his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman.

Upon his return, Tarique Rahman is expected to resume political activities from the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, where renovations and security upgrades are nearly complete. His home on Gulshan Avenue is being readied, with alternative arrangements at his mother’s residence ‘Firoza’ if needed.

Sharif Osman Hadi, a leading figure of the July uprising and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, is in critical condition in Singapore. Doctors are preparing for a complex brain operation to remove a bullet fragment lodged in his brainstem. His family has approved the surgery, and close relatives are currently by his side in Singapore.

Inquilab Mancha has called for nationwide prayers for Hadi’s recovery. In a statement, the group urged supporters to gather at Shahbagh if Hadi succumbs to his injuries, pledging to continue protests until those responsible for the attack are arrested. The organization also warned of a nationwide shutdown if justice is not served.

Authorities have yet to release details about the investigation or suspects involved in the shooting. Political observers note that Hadi’s condition and the group’s response could significantly influence the current socio-political climate in Bangladesh, particularly among pro-reform movements.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus chaired the weekly meeting of the Advisory Council in Dhaka, where the deteriorating health of activist and Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi was a key topic. Hadi, a prominent figure in the July uprising, remains in critical condition at Singapore General Hospital after suffering a massive heart attack and severe infection.

According to officials, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has been in regular contact with Dr. Yunus regarding Hadi’s condition. A senior Bangladeshi foreign ministry official has been dispatched to Singapore to coordinate with Hadi’s family, hospital authorities, and the Singaporean government. Doctors are reportedly preparing for a complex brain operation to remove a bullet fragment lodged in his brainstem.

The government’s press wing confirmed Hadi’s condition as “extremely critical.” His family members are by his side, and additional relatives are traveling to Singapore. The situation has drawn close attention from both Dhaka and Singapore, with urgent medical and diplomatic coordination underway.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has briefed foreign diplomats in Dhaka on the government’s preparations and security measures for the upcoming 13th national election and referendum. The briefing, held at the Padma State Guesthouse and led by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, outlined updated plans to ensure safety and order during the electoral process.

According to the ministry’s statement, armed forces and law enforcement agencies are on high alert and ready to respond to any situation. Around 40 diplomats from various embassies attended the session, where they were informed that the Election Commission will welcome foreign election observers and invited them to send monitoring teams. The government also reassured embassies about the safety of their personnel and premises.

The move comes amid heightened international attention on Bangladesh’s electoral environment. Officials emphasized transparency and cooperation with the diplomatic community, signaling efforts to maintain stability and confidence ahead of the polls.

Police recovered the body of Jannat Ara Rumi, a 30-year-old political activist known as the 'July Daughter,' from a women’s hostel in Hazaribagh, Dhaka, on Thursday morning. Rumi, who had been active in the 2024 anti-discrimination and anti-government movements, was serving as a joint coordinator for the Dhanmondi unit of the National Citizen Party (NCP). Her sudden and unexplained death has sparked widespread grief in her hometown of Patnitala, Naogaon.

Local leaders and former student movement colleagues described Rumi as a courageous figure who led early demonstrations against the then-ruling Awami League. Friends and associates have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, urging authorities to identify and punish anyone found responsible. Rumi, a trained nurse and mother of a four-year-old, had divorced five months earlier and recently relocated to Dhaka for political work.

Police have yet to disclose preliminary findings, while the NCP and local activists are calling for transparency and justice. The incident has reignited discussions on the safety of young women in politics and the need for accountability in politically sensitive deaths.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh on December 25, according to his personal secretary Abdus Sattar. His flight from London will arrive in Dhaka via Sylhet around 11 a.m., and he will be accompanied by his daughter. The announcement follows confirmation from BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir earlier this month that Rahman’s homecoming was being finalized.

Rahman, the eldest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, left Bangladesh in 2008 after being released from an 18-month detention under the military-backed caretaker government that took power in 2007. He has since lived in London, maintaining political communication with party leaders remotely. His return marks a major political development for the BNP, which has been struggling with leadership challenges amid ongoing legal and political pressures.

Observers say Rahman’s return could reshape the opposition landscape ahead of future elections. Security arrangements and political reactions are expected to intensify as the date approaches.

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed paid a farewell visit to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Thursday, marking the conclusion of his tenure as the head of Bangladesh’s judiciary. During the meeting, the President commended the Chief Justice for his long and distinguished career, highlighting his professionalism, dedication, and contribution to upholding justice in the country.

In response, Chief Justice Ahmed expressed his gratitude to the President for the cooperation extended to him during his tenure. He also briefed the President on key initiatives and reforms undertaken under his leadership to strengthen judicial efficiency and transparency. The meeting reflected mutual respect between the executive and judiciary at a time of transition in the Supreme Court.

The farewell marks the end of an era in Bangladesh’s judicial leadership, with the government expected to announce a new Chief Justice soon. Legal observers note that the next appointment will be crucial for maintaining judicial independence and continuity in ongoing reforms.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Bangladesh has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 senior military officers over allegations of enforced disappearances and torture during her administration. The tribunal issued the order on Thursday after formal charges were framed, following hearings earlier in December.

Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam presented five charges of crimes against humanity, urging the court to begin the trial, while defense counsel Azizur Rahman Dulu sought acquittal for the accused. Among the 13 defendants, three former Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) directors are currently in custody, while several others, including Hasina and her former security adviser Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, remain at large.

The case, centered on alleged abuses within the JIC Cell or “Aynaghar” detention facility, marks a rare instance of high-level accountability proceedings in Bangladesh. Legal analysts suggest the trial could have significant political and institutional implications, potentially reshaping discussions about state responsibility for past human rights violations.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia is reportedly receiving proper medical treatment and her condition remains stable, according to her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Professor Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain. Speaking to reporters outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Thursday, Dr. Hossain said the former prime minister is responding positively to ongoing treatment and that further improvement is possible if her current condition continues.

He expressed optimism about Zia’s recovery and extended gratitude to the hospital authorities, medical team, and BNP leadership for their continuous support. Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, along with family members Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Sharmila Rahman, are said to be closely monitoring her health updates. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 following a deterioration in her health.

The update comes amid ongoing public interest in the health of the 79-year-old opposition leader, who has faced multiple hospitalizations in recent years. Party sources suggest she will remain under observation as doctors continue to evaluate her progress.

British police have announced that individuals carrying placards or chanting slogans such as 'Globalize the Intifada' will face arrest. The Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police issued a joint statement saying the move follows recent violent incidents targeting Jewish communities, including a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 16 people.

Authorities said the term 'intifada', historically linked to Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation, has become increasingly sensitive amid global tensions. The police cited community concerns about the slogan’s potential to incite hatred or violence. They also referenced an earlier stabbing at a Manchester synagogue that left two people dead.

Enhanced patrols and security measures have been deployed around places of worship, schools, and community centers in London and Manchester. Officials emphasized that while free expression remains protected, any speech perceived as promoting violence or communal unrest will be met with firm legal action.

A jurisdictional dispute has erupted between Bangladesh’s Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Shipping over control of the country’s sand extraction zones, known as balumahals. The conflict intensified after three district commissioners lodged complaints alleging that the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), under the Shipping Ministry, issued sand extraction permits without local administrative approval. Two inter-ministerial meetings failed to resolve the issue.

Land Ministry officials argue that, under the Sand and Soil Management Rules 2025, they hold sole authority to lease and regulate sand resources through district-level committees. BIWTA, however, claims jurisdiction over riverine sand zones under the 1958 BIWTA Ordinance, citing navigational safety responsibilities. The dispute has exposed overlapping legal frameworks and revived allegations of past political influence over sand trade networks.

The Cabinet Division has directed further consultations involving multiple ministries. Officials suggest that amendments to the 2025 regulations may be considered to clarify authority and prevent future conflicts, as unregulated sand extraction continues to raise environmental and governance concerns.

Bangladesh’s Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has given final approval to two major ordinances — the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 and the Haor and Wetland Conservation Ordinance 2025. The decision came during the council’s weekly meeting on Thursday, which also discussed the critical health condition of July uprising leader Sharif Osman Hadi, currently under treatment in Singapore.

The disappearance ordinance allows a tribunal to officially declare a person “disappeared” after five years of absence and empowers victims’ families to manage property without prior approval. It also authorizes the appointment of public prosecutors for related tribunals. The wetland ordinance defines the jurisdiction of the Haor and Wetland Development Department, introduces legal protection for biodiversity, and criminalizes harmful activities in these ecosystems.

Additionally, the council approved establishing a new Bangladeshi embassy in Bern, Switzerland, to strengthen diplomatic and development ties. Officials said the move will enhance Bangladesh’s global representation and cooperation with Switzerland.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has decided to increase the number of closed-circuit cameras (CCTV) at polling centers ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen election security and transparency amid growing public and political concerns. The EC will not use its own funds for installation; instead, financing will come from city corporations, district and upazila councils, and administrative funds managed by divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and UNOs.

Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that around 4,449 educational institutions already have CCTV systems, which will be utilized for polling. The EC has requested the education ministries to ensure these cameras are functional and to arrange temporary installations where needed. The move follows earlier dialogues where political parties and civil society urged for CCTV surveillance to prevent irregularities. Each installation is estimated to cost about BDT 4,000–4,500 per center.

Observers view the measure as a step to restore voter confidence and reduce fears of violence or fraud. The EC has also instructed local administrators to ensure accessibility and safety for all voters, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Hafez Tarek Reza, Joint Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), announced on Thursday that Jannat Akter Rumi, the party’s Dhanmondi Thana Joint Coordinator, has died by suicide. In a Facebook post, Reza claimed that Rumi had been subjected to persistent cyberbullying, threats, and intimidation from individuals linked to the ruling Awami League over the past month.

Reza alleged that despite repeated appeals from Rumi’s family and friends, law enforcement authorities failed to provide adequate protection or intervention. He further stated that the incident should not be treated as a suicide but as a politically motivated killing, vowing to seek justice for his colleague. His post has sparked renewed debate about political harassment, online abuse, and the lack of institutional response in Bangladesh.

The case underscores growing concerns about cyber harassment targeting political activists and the perceived impunity surrounding such incidents. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement or confirm whether an investigation has been launched.