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This article complements the first episode of Pretty Good Podcast Youth, featuring an interview with Activate Rights' founders on Bangladesh's student-led protests and their influence on youth's understanding of human and digital rights.
বাংলাদেশে ২০২৪ সালের জানুয়ারিতে অনুষ্ঠিত সাধারণ নির্বাচন বিরোধী দলের বয়কট, নির্বাচন সম্পর্কিত বয়ান প্রভাবিত করার প্রচেষ্টা এবং বিপুল সংখ্যক তরুণদের ভোট ও রাজনীতি থেকে দূরে থাকা দ্বারা প্রশ্নবিদ্ধ ছিল। পরবর্তীতে জুলাই মাসে ছাত্র ও জনতার অভ্যুত্থান প্রমাণ করেছে যে, গণতান্ত্রিক অংশগ্রহণ কেবল ভোট দেয়ার মাঝে সীমাবদ্ধ নয়।
The January 2024 elections in Bangladesh were marred by an opposition boycott, influence operations, and low youth participation. The July 2024 protest showed that there is more to democratic participation than going to the polls.
The 2024 elections test the resilience of democracy in various South and Southeast Asia countries. Youth voters play a pivotal role in these elections, and their engagement is a beacon of hope for democracy despite various challenges.
EngageMedia joins various organisations in calling for safeguarding fundamental rights in Bangladesh and restoring the country’s communication and Internet services that can save lives during a conflict.
The LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh, already marginalized and residing in the shadows of conservative societies, faces a larger threat under repressive laws like the Cyber Security Act 2023 (CSA).
In Bangladesh, stories of stifled expression and oppression are increasingly common. Repressive laws, frequent internet shutdowns, and censorship are some of the obstacles faced by young citizens who seek to voice their opinions in a digital age.
A newly-proposed bill concerning digital protection reflects Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to adapt to the digital landscape, but the country still needs to address urgent issues such as privacy violations and government-backed disinformation.
The COVID-19 pandemic provided the government with pretext to censor free speech, harass critics, and effectively curb dissent – accelerating what has been an ongoing turn towards authoritarianism in Bangladesh.
