分类： politics

In a remarkable political transformation, Bangladesh’s historically marginalized Jamaat-e-Islami party is experiencing unprecedented resurgence ahead of February’s parliamentary elections. The Islamist organization, previously banned from electoral politics for over a decade due to its opposition to Bangladeshi independence and conflicts with the secular constitution, has strategically repositioned itself as a viable alternative to established political forces.

The party’s rehabilitation follows the youth-led uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, which resulted in approximately 1,400 casualties according to UN estimates. Capitalizing on public disillusionment with traditional parties, Jamaat has emphasized anti-corruption initiatives and welfare programs including medical camps and flood relief operations.

A December opinion poll by the International Republican Institute revealed Jamaat as Bangladesh’s most ‘liked’ political entity, projecting a highly competitive race with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. This surge in popularity stems from strategic alliances with groups like the Gen-Z National Citizen Party and outreach to minority communities, including the unprecedented nomination of a Hindu candidate.

Despite public assurances of women’s rights, the party faces scrutiny for fielding no female candidates for 300 parliamentary seats. Party chief Shafiqur Rahman suggests women might gain representation through 50 proportionally allocated seats post-election, but women’s rights activists dismiss these promises as electoral ploys.

The political shift has raised concerns among religious minorities and moderates, with reports of increased attacks on Hindu and Sufi sites since Hasina’s departure. Minority community leaders express unprecedented fears about their security under potential Islamist governance, though Jamaat officials deny involvement in religious violence and call for investigations.

Jamaat has formed a broad network of alliances with other Islamist parties, planning to contest 179 seats while distributing 74 to allies. The party employed international agencies to assess voter sentiment and recruited prominent figures including Mir Ahmad bin Quasem, son of an executed Jamaat leader.

Analysts note the party’s evolution from a ‘stigmatized force’ to a ‘pragmatic contender’ reflects public anger over abuses during Hasina’s administration. While some speculate about potential foreign policy shifts toward Pakistan, party leadership maintains they will pursue balanced international relations rather than leaning toward any particular nation.

In a significant development for press freedom in the contested region, Jammu and Kashmir police have compelled multiple journalists to sign a formal commitment vowing not to “disturb peace” through their reporting. This move has sparked immediate concerns among media watchdogs and press freedom advocates.

According to verified reports, at least three journalists received official summons to police stations in Srinagar, the capital of the federally administered territory. While two journalists confirmed receiving these directives, one assistant editor from the respected Indian Express newspaper notably refused to sign the document despite repeated police summons between January 15-19.

The situation emerges against the backdrop of India’s 2019 revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy, which was followed by numerous restrictions in the Muslim-majority region. These developments include established guidelines governing how media outlets cover the ongoing insurgency and related security matters.

The Press Club of Kashmir confirmed in an official statement that multiple members had received either formal summons or informal advisories from authorities requesting they cease reporting on police investigations into religious institutions’ funding and management structures.

Kunal Majumder, Asia-Pacific coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, characterized these actions as “part of a pattern of intimidation against the media in Jammu and Kashmir,” emphasizing that using police powers to summon journalists over legitimate reporting represents a concerning trend for democratic principles.

The Srinagar police spokesperson has not yet responded to requests for commentary regarding these developments. Meanwhile, the Indian Express has publicly affirmed its commitment to “uphold and protect the rights and dignity of its journalists” in response to these pressures.

A significant diplomatic schism is forming within the international community regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly proposed ‘Board of Peace’ initiative. While several Middle Eastern and regional powers have confirmed participation, key European nations are expressing reservations or outright refusing to join the controversial body.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan both confirmed their nations’ involvement on Wednesday, with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan representing the country at Thursday’s signing ceremony during the World Economic Forum in Davos. This follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s earlier acceptance of membership.

The initiative, which would feature Trump as lifetime chairman, requires a $1 billion fee from participating nations for permanent membership, though Turkish officials confirmed the first three years would be fee-exempt. Approximately 50 countries have received invitations, with about 35 reportedly agreeing to join according to sources close to Trump.

Notable participants include Hungary, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Bahrain, Armenia, Morocco, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. Egypt’s foreign ministry stated its agreement came “after completing the relevant legal and constitutional procedures,” while expressing appreciation for “Trump’s leadership and his commitment to ending the war in Gaza.”

However, the initiative faces substantial opposition from European powers. France declared it could not give a “favourable response” at this stage, while Norway outright refused participation, citing the board “raises a certain number of questions.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he “does not imagine” participating alongside Russia, calling it inconceivable given ongoing conflicts.

The United Kingdom expressed apprehension about Russia’s potential involvement, noting concern over inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin who “has proven time and again that he is not seriously committed to peace.” Germany confirmed Chancellor Friedrich Merz would not attend the signing ceremony, departing Davos prior to the event.

The diplomatic tensions coincide with ongoing strains between Europe and the U.S. regarding Trump’s repeated threats to annex Greenland, though he stated at Davos he would not use force in pursuing negotiations for its acquisition.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi has declared that Europe is experiencing severe “blowback” for its compliance with Washington’s abandonment of the Iranian nuclear agreement, drawing parallels to current transatlantic trade tensions. The statement came shortly after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, vowing that the EU would respond “unflinchingly, united and proportionally” to President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on European goods.

The current diplomatic friction stems from Trump’s recent threat to impose 10% tariffs on eight European nations that opposed his proposal to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. Von der Leyen maintained that the EU still considers the United States a vital ally but cautioned against escalating trade conflicts, emphasizing that “a deal is a deal” and that “when friends shake hands, it must mean something”—referencing the EU-US trade agreement signed in July.

Aragchi responded through social media platform X, accusing European powers of selective adherence to international agreements. He reminded the E3 alliance (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) that they “faithfully obeyed and even abetted” Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term in May 2018. The 2015 nuclear agreement had provided Iran relief from comprehensive economic sanctions in exchange for restrictions on its civilian nuclear program.

The foreign minister warned that the EU’s current predicament with Trump’s tariff threats and his renewed determination to acquire Greenland—which Trump confirmed there was “no going back” from—demonstrates the consequences of undermining international agreements. Aragchi concluded that either all deals must be honored, or “no handshake means anything,” suggesting the alternative would be “nothing short of the breakdown of the international order.”

The escalating situation occurs against the backdrop of warnings from other world leaders at Davos, including French President Emmanuel Macron’s caution about a shift toward “a world without rules” and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s observation that the “old order is not coming back.”