Shamsuddoza Sajen

From the outdated legal concepts under which cases of rape are tried in court, the “medical” tests that are required for proving rape, to the institutions which are supposed to stand by the survivor, it is not surprising that many women are scared or traumatised to even report incidents of sexual violence.

The Daily Star talks to three experts - a researcher, a labour activist and a development professional - about the progress Bangladesh has made and the challenges it still faces.

The way the government is flaunting the ‘14-km-away’ theory as the ultimate answer to all the worries regarding the Rampal power plant, it would seem that the protesters do not have even the simplest knowledge of measuring distance.

Yesterday was the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. But what does it mean to remember the Holocaust? It cannot be only to speak of the details of the gruesome barbarity that engulfed a continent in the last century through voyeuristic descriptions of horror. Neither should one speak of the death of six million in the contextual realms of history; it cannot be a matter of numbers. Does one, as the student from Alan Bennet's History Boys, simply gloss over the matter with a pithy “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.”?

Over the recent backlash of the erroneous content and apparently mysterious changes to the curriculum, the education minister on January 10 stated during a press briefing, “I'm not avoiding my responsibility, but I'm leaving the matter to you whether handing over such a volume of textbooks is a bigger thing than these errors,” to which, the answer is an obvious yes.

With stretching arms, pointed toes and emotive facial expressions, dance speaks of the language of human emotions as the music

"What I want to say is that the way the government is behaving with indigenous people now is violating their human rights.What is the solution? The government must provide them with protection. They must prosecute and punish those who are committing such crimes."

The vicious attacks on Hindu homes, establishments and temples since October 30 indicates an increase in the level of bigotry among certain sections of the society. The question is how did these miscreants get the courage to carry out these crimes? The Daily Star talks to some individuals who have been directly affected or are speaking out against these hate crimes.

The draft Digital Security Act 2016, intended to address the need for cyber-crime legislation, according to the authorities, was approved on August 22, 2016, by the Cabinet. But members of civil society, media and activists have already expressed their concerns over the draft law impinging upon people's freedom of expression.

China is one of the birth places of human civilisation. With an exotic historical past, China has attracted travellers and tourists from around the world for hundreds of years. In a recent trip to China, Shamsuddoza Sajen of The Daily Star has tried to get a glimpse of the grandeur of Ancient China through his visits to the Great Wall, the Shimao Site and the Terracota Warrior Sites.

If you roam around China's suburbs, you will be charmed by the decorative doors and windows of the shops and houses that are livened up by beautiful paper cuts with exquisite carvings and interesting shapes.

She initially thought that many of the team members might not be comfortable after knowing that a woman was accompanying them in disguise. But an elderly man came forward, and told Mitil, placing his hand on her head, "Mother, we are not afraid anymore; since our girls have taken up arms, no force can subdue us."

“Archimedes once made the remark: give me a farm spot to stand and with a lever I will move the whole world. Archimedes strived for the impossible. But I am making a realistic claim to you: Give me a dozen writers imbued with fresh thoughts and I will move Bangladesh"

In the first two days of the week, two key suspects of machete killings, Faijullah and Sharif, were killed in 'shootouts'. Though the

Once known as the City of Courage, Bikrampur -- now called Munshiganj -- holds a history of more than 2,500 years. And if you are planning a day-trip to visit a few heritage sites close to Dhaka, then make a trip to Tongibari, a part of the-then Bikrampur capital of Bengal. We managed to visit only three out of the dozens of heritage sites there.

In a recent interview with BBC, India's minister of water resources Uma Bharti unveiled her government's massive plan to divert major rivers including the Ganges and Brahmaputra.

It has been almost a month now and still we have not seen any significant progress in the investigation into Sohagi Jahan Tonu's killing. In an interview with Shamsuddoza Sajen of The Daily Star, BNWLA's (Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association) Executive Director Advocate Salma Ali pinpoints various loopholes in the investigation process. BNWLA is providing legal support to the victim's family.

In March 1923, acting Governor General of India John Adam promulgated an ordinance requiring compulsory licensing for all newspapers and periodicals.

Major General Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Border Guard Bangladesh, talks to Shamsuddoza Sajen of The Daily Star on various aspects of border management and development of the border area.

We have long term treaties with India which is a sign of a strong relationship. But we are handling China by default. We should have a long term partnership agreement with China like what we have with India.