On Thursday (February 13), at a press briefing in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Security Advisor Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam stated that the interim government welcomes the United Nations fact-finding mission’s recommendation to disband the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). However, he clarified that any decision on this matter would be taken after thorough discussion and review.

During the briefing, he also announced the introduction of a ten-minute on-arrival visa service, aimed at making visa issuance more convenient and hassle-free for travelers.

For the eighth consecutive day, recommended candidates for assistant teacher positions in government primary schools continued their protest at Shahbagh, demanding the immediate recruitment of 6,531 teachers in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions as part of the third phase of hiring. In a symbolic demonstration of their frustration, the protesters wore funeral shrouds.

According to the protesting teachers, candidates from the first two phases, recommended under the 2023 recruitment rules, were appointed nearly a year ago. However, the recruitment of 6,531 recommended candidates from the third phase in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions was put on hold for six months due to a court-issued stay order. The delay reportedly stems from a legal challenge over the quota system.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam stated on Thursday afternoon that the report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising in Bangladesh could serve as undeniable evidence in the International Crimes Tribunal.

Speaking to journalists at the tribunal, he emphasized that the use of weapons and casualty statistics indicate that an entire state apparatus systematically targeted a specific population with the intent to eradicate them. He described this as clear and compelling evidence of crimes against humanity. Given that the UN is the world’s largest and most universally accepted organization, he asserted that their report is completely impartial and holds significant credibility in legal proceedings.

During a meeting with acting British High Commissioner to Dhaka, James Goldman, on Thursday at 11 AM, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that BNP has requested India to return Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. He stated, "Those who collaborated with Sheikh Hasina will also be brought to justice. That is our expectation." The BNP leader further alleged that the government had been involved in forced disappearances and fabricating militancy cases against opposition activists.

Aspiring assistant teachers for government primary schools staged a road blockade at Shahbagh in Dhaka, demanding the reinstatement of their canceled appointments. On Thursday afternoon, police used water cannons to disperse the protesters, taking several individuals into custody for questioning. Eyewitnesses reported that the demonstration caused severe traffic congestion. Police initially tried to negotiate, but after the protesters refused to leave, authorities used water cannons to break up the gathering. The job seekers, who had previously been recommended based on merit, questioned why they needed to protest for their rightful appointments. They also expressed disappointment in government advisors for not supporting them.

A United Nations investigation report published on Wednesday revealed that Bangladesh Police submitted a list of 95 individuals, including members of the ruling Awami League and its affiliates, in connection with killings during the July uprising. According to the police, these individuals supplied weapons to civilians for violent attacks during the protests. The list includes 10 former Members of Parliament, 14 local Awami League leaders, 16 Jubo League members, 16 Chhatra League leaders, and seven police officers. The report also states that children were targeted by security forces, detained in inhumane conditions, subjected to torture, and faced various forms of abuse. Additionally, documents analyzed by investigators indicate incidents of sexual violence perpetrated by Awami League supporters.

The body of missing schoolboy Roman Sheikh was recovered 23 days after his disappearance. His abduction had led to violent protests, including the vandalism of a local police station. On Thursday afternoon, police found his body stuffed in a sack in a pond in the Sixgaon area of Srinagar Upazila. Earlier that morning, a foul odor near the home of the suspect, Siam, drew a crowd. Upon discovering the corpse, enraged locals vandalized Siam’s house and set it on fire. According to police reports, the body was tied to a concrete pillar and bricks and concealed beneath water hyacinths in an attempt to hide it.

UAE’s Minister of Health, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, met with Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the World Government Summit in Dubai on Thursday. Thanking Dr. Yunus for his participation, the minister said, "Your presence has inspired the summit." He further remarked, "We learn from people like you." Al Owais also congratulated Dr. Yunus for his leadership in Bangladesh during this critical time. In response, Dr. Yunus expressed gratitude to the UAE for providing shelter to one million Bangladeshi expatriates.

Parbatipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fatema Khatun faced strong protests from local activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Citizen Committee over allegations of corruption and irregularities. Following a human chain demonstration at the local Shaheed Minar, protesters marched to the UNO office, chanting slogans of "Fake, Fake," and demanded her removal. Under intense pressure, the UNO eventually left her office. Protesters claimed that despite receiving three transfer orders, she remained in Parbatipur due to "invisible influences." She was given a two-hour ultimatum to leave the upazila, but she insisted that she could not leave without an official release order.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has demanded a ban on all organizational activities of the Awami League and the swift trial of those responsible for the July coup massacre. In a statement, they condemned the attack on students in Gazipur by Awami League-backed terrorists, which led to the death of their member Abul Kashem Khan while undergoing treatment at DMCH. They also urged the interim government to take firm action against ongoing assassinations and violence, holding Awami League accountable for its crimes.

Golam Rabbani Roni, the Joint General Secretary of Singra Municipal Chhatra League in Natore, was arrested during Operation Devil Hunt. A case was filed in September last year regarding an attack on BNP leaders during the 2018 national elections. He has been accused of involvement in the assault on BNP leaders and activists. Rabbani, who holds key positions in both Singra Chhatra League and Upazila Swechchhasebak League, has been sent to court.

Bangladesh has submitted all necessary documents under the prisoner exchange agreement in a diplomatic note to India regarding the return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Rafiqul Alam confirmed this on Thursday, adding that India has yet to respond. When asked whether Bangladesh would share the recently published UN fact-finding report with India, he clarified that the report was prepared for Bangladesh and is publicly available. The government’s efforts to bring back Sheikh Hasina remain ongoing.

Jamaat-e-Islami has submitted 23 written proposals to the Election Commission, emphasizing that a fair election is impossible without key reforms. Following a meeting with the EC in Agargaon, Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar stated that electoral processes and related state institutions must be reformed to ensure free and impartial elections. He clarified that while full state reform is the elected government’s responsibility, an interim government should implement the necessary changes for elections. Jamaat-e-Islami is ready to allow reasonable time for these reforms.

The government has issued a gazette renaming 13 public universities that previously carried the names of Sheikh Hasina and her family members. The decision follows her departure from the country amid a mass uprising. The ordinance, signed by the Law Ministry, cites the need to avoid confusion caused by similar university names. The renamed institutions include universities in Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Naogaon, Meherpur, and other districts. The President enacted the changes under constitutional authority, as parliament is currently dissolved.

A shipment of 52,500 tons of wheat from Argentina has arrived at Chattogram port via the MV Indido Omega vessel. The Ministry of Food confirmed the arrival in a press release on Thursday, stating that the wheat was imported through an open tender process. Sample testing of the wheat will be conducted before the unloading process begins. Earlier, on February 5, Bangladesh had received another shipment of 50,200 metric tons of wheat.