Interviews

Interviews

An unfinished struggle: Democracy, identity and reform

The interview explores the evolving narrative of democracy in Bangladesh since 1971.

3w ago

'A truly democratic society must not suppress differing opinions'

Samina Luthfa talks about the interim government's performance 6 months after it took office.

2m ago

'Israel killed 75 of my relatives in a single strike'

Ibrahim Saleem Kishko, a Palestinian student at Dhaka Medical College, offers a window into the reality of life in Gaza.

2m ago

‘The BRT project was flawed from the start’

Dr Md Shamsul Hoque, professor of civil engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), talks to Monorom Polok of The Daily Star about the maiden BRT line in Dhaka that opened last month.

2m ago

‘When a government refuses to go, people accept it until they don’t’

Author and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmad talks about the background and formation of BAKSAL.

3m ago

Interview with Yasmin Sooka / Digital technology can bring clarity to the July-August atrocities

ITJP's documentary provides evidentiary insights into the July uprising atrocities.

3m ago

'An honest, patriotic political leadership can transform the nation'

Prof Syed Munir Khasru, who heads the Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and Governance (IPAG), in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star.

3m ago

‘Independent body needed to protect human rights defenders’

Odhikar Director ASM Nasiruddin Elan talks about his experience under the Awami League regime in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star.

4m ago

What's holding us back from diversifying our exports?

Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), discusses the challenges that Bangladesh has to overcome on its journey to becoming a middle-income country, in an exclusive interview with Naimul Alam Alvi of The Daily Star.

1y ago

‘The right to fear-free democratic opposition must be ensured’

Shantanu Majumder, a professor of political science at the University of Dhaka, talks about his thoughts on Bangladesh’s recent national election and its implications on society and opposition parties, in an interview with Afia Jahin of The Daily Star.

1y ago

‘Human rights obligations are not an imposition from the outside’

UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan speaks with The Daily Star about the recent general election, shrinking space for dissent, and the pressing need to address human rights concerns in Bangladesh.

1y ago

‘It is obvious that there will be no effective parliamentary opposition’

Advocate Sultana Kamal speaks with Eresh Omar Jamal of The Daily Star about Bangladesh’s 12th parliamentary election and its ramifications for the country’s political and governance landscapes.

1y ago

‘Girls tend to be strong by default when it comes to playing football’

AKM Saiful Bari Titu, interim head coach to the Bangladesh National Women’s Football team, speaks about his experience coaching the team, their recent performances, and what can be done to take them further, in an interview with Afia Jahin of The Daily Star.

1y ago

‘Violence against women is a violation of human rights’

Our society still considers violence against women to be a women's issue and holds the view that only women should talk about it or protest it.

1y ago

‘A violent crackdown during elections does not inspire voter confidence’

The human rights situation in Bangladesh is extremely concerning due to the nation’s steady slide towards authoritarianism.

1y ago

'China, India can't replace our export market to the US, EU'

M Touhid Hossain, former foreign secretary of Bangladesh, discusses the implications and significance of the recent US labour rights policy with The Daily Star.

1y ago

'Why don't RMG owners pressurise buyers instead of workers?'

Despite the five-year minimum wage review cycle, there seems to be no preparation on the factory owners’ end

1y ago

'China never exerts pressure on any other country, but believes in diplomacy and dialogue'

China is committed to opening up and translating its immense market into profitable opportunities for the world, including for Bangladesh.

1y ago