Sumon Corraya

The small Catholic community in Bangladesh celebrates Christmas with a mixture of confidence and concern in the new phase opened by the student movement that swept the Awami League in the summer. Dhaka Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze: ‘We imagine a country at peace where marginalised people are treated with dignity and men and women enjoy the same rights’.

The decision was approved by the interim government at the end of a meeting chaired by Yunus. Vapes will be added to the list of items whose importation is prohibited. Fears over the possible development of a clandestine market. 67% of deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases, with smoking and tobacco use being the main causes.

Rebeca Gomes, 56, vice president of the Bangladesh Christian Lawyers Association, has handled thousands of cases involving abuse against women and children over the past 19 years. She spoke to AsiaNews about her battle against violence in the home, in the workplace, in public places. More than 150 women were killed in the country in 2024 because of, among other things, a deeply rooted patriarchal culture.

Hundreds of students have taken to the streets in recent hours to demonstrate against the attack on the diplomatic representation, with serious damage to the building. Earlier there had been demonstrations in India against the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in the neighbouring country. The two governments tighten control and security measures.

After bloody clashes between students in the capital, with at least 100 injured, St. Gregory's High School & College was forced to interrupt classes due to damage to its facilities. Its principal, Br Ribeiro, calls it a “premeditated assault". The army has restored order. Meanwhile, Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu community leader, was arrested for "sedition" at Dhaka airport. The NGO representing religious minorities laments “unprecedented violence”.

Having come to power after the ousting of the historic premier Hasina and the student protests, the interim executive does not seem to meet expectations. The issue of the fight against corruption is unresolved and there is a risk of a growing Islamic drift. Economic challenges, in particular the issue of inflation, continue to weigh on the citizens.

The story of 14-year-old Mahinur, who thanks to the Catholic organisation's Sddb programme was able to embark on a path to schooling. Coming from a poor family, she faced marginalisation and indifference for a long time; now she dreams of becoming a teacher. Like her, 6,378 people in eight districts receive support.

The interim prime minister met a delegation from the Bishops' Conference led by Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze. The prelates call for a nation grounded in justice, human rights, and participatory governance. The Church's educational and healthcare institutions offer their services "regardless of caste or creed”. The bishops urge the government to simplify visa procedures for missionaries.

The testimony to AsiaNews of the priest who teaches at the department of religions at the public university in a country with an overwhelming Muslim majority: ‘For many here it is the first opportunity in their lives to deal with a Christian. I never enter the classroom without wearing my collar and cross. Education has a fundamental role in dispelling ignorance and promoting empathy and dialogue’.

In the last 15 years, the Bangladesh Chhatra League has been a tool of repression for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party and its members have been charged in connection with dozens of very serious crimes. The student movement that led to the resignation of the former government had given the current administration a week to ban the organisation.

The monsoon season is ending with new floods in the north. As in August, the impact of climate change is weighing heavily. Remote areas are unreachable. Sr. Rony Gomes: ‘inhuman conditions’ due to lack of food. There are 1474 families helped by Christian organisations.

The return to freedom of expression, following the fall of the former prime minister, opened up space for extremist movements and groups. In recent street demonstrations, Islamic State-like banners have appeared. Police and law enforcement agencies are in action to avert an extremist escalation, but there are concerns among minorities, including Christians.