Sheikh Hasina's Family Assets Frozen Amid Corruption Probe

Protests ignited across Bangladesh following the death of an eight-year-old girl who succumbed to injuries from a brutal rape incident, which occurred in Magura. Authorities reported that the girl was attacked at her sister's house between March 5 and 6. Her sister's 18-year-old husband, along with his family, has been arrested in connection with the crime. The child, who died on Thursday after suffering three cardiac arrests, was hospitalized for six days in critical condition. "I thought my daughter would survive," her mother lamented, expressing despair over the tragic loss. The girl's body was transported back to Magura via army helicopter, leading to fierce protest actions including the torched home of the alleged rapist. Thousands attended her Islamic funeral prayer, while additional protests, including a mock coffin demonstration by students at Dhaka University, called for expedited justice and clearer definitions in rape law. Legal advisor Asif Nazrul announced that the trial is set to commence within a week, emphasizing the need for rapid judicial proceedings in light of the recent surge in child rape cases in the country.

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are facing a dire situation as militant groups reportedly force them to return to Myanmar to fight for the military accused of genocide against them, according to Sky News. The UN has classified the military's actions against the Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority, as genocide following an exodus of around 700,000 individuals in 2017 due to horrific violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State. Many of the refugees, including children, are being abducted at gunpoint from makeshift camps in Cox's Bazar. A 19-year-old identified as Jaker stated that he was taken by force last year along with others, adding that "many of our Rohingya boys... were killed in battle." The escalating violence in the camps has led to an alarming rise in recruits for both the military and ethnic armed groups like the Arakan Army, which is gaining control in Rakhine. While some, like Abu Zar, express willingness to fight for their own rights, many are coerced into service. Reports indicate that 3,000 to 5,000 Rohingya from Bangladesh have joined armed factions, and the situation remains profoundly hazardous for those in the camps.

General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, has issued a stark warning regarding the country’s independence, attributing the threat to internal strife. Speaking at an army memorial event in Dhaka, he noted that rising violent crime and political turmoil have created a climate where "miscreants" feel emboldened to act without consequence. "If you can't move beyond your differences... the independence and integrity of the country will be at risk," he stated, emphasizing the need for unity among stakeholders. Bangladesh has experienced a surge in crime and political unrest since the student-led uprising that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last August. Recent months have seen security forces arrest over 8,600 individuals in an operation targeting alleged Hasina loyalists. General Waker highlighted the chaos as "manufactured" by internal discord, calling for investigations into military actions accused of human rights abuses. With Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus advocating for democratic reforms, the path to stability remains uncertain as the nation grapples with its tumultuous political landscape.