Autor: global-affair

Omar Faruk, 21,works with a local organization to help mobilize and coordinate student volunteers for community-based initiatives. Alarmed by the effects that climate change is already having on Bangladesh’s most marginalized communities, he wants the new government to prioritize action to deliver climate justice.

“Climate change is not only an environmental crisis; it is a profound human rights issue. Climate justice recognizes that the impacts of climate change are distributed unequally, and that those who have contributed the least to the problem are the ones who often suffer the worst effects. Women, so-called lower-caste communities, and marginalized groups face disproportionate risks due to systemic inequality.

In many societies, women are primarily responsible for water collection, food security, and household care. Climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones increase their workload, expose them to health risks, and limit their access to education and economic opportunities.

A just climate response must challenge social hierarchies while protecting the environment.

Marginalized communities often live in environmentally fragile areas with limited infrastructure and state support. When disasters strike, these communities face greater displacement, loss of livelihood, and barriers to recovery due to social exclusion.

Addressing climate change without considering gender and caste intersections risks reinforcing existing injustices. A just climate response must challenge social hierarchies while protecting the environment. Only through inclusive and rights-based approaches can climate justice contribute to long-term sustainability and human dignity and justice.”

Umma Sadia Prapty, a 24-year-old from Shariatpur, is studying for a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching.Frustrated by the barriers that have prevented young people from fully participating in public discourse, she wants the new government to ensure that the rights to freedom of expression and association are protected.

“Governance becomes more effective and transparent when people can express their opinions and criticism openly about authorities. The right to share diverse perspectives and organize protests against injustice should be guaranteed. Misinformation, fear, and polarization can fill the vacuum left by stifled debate if these rights are denied.

The younger generation in Bangladesh is increasingly educated, globally connected, and politically aware, so these rights are particularly important for them. Young people use social media platforms to share their opinions, communicate with one another, and bring reforms in areas such as climate justice, economic rights, and democratic participation.

We need laws that protect freedom of expression and association that allow people to enjoy their rights legally without fear of being targeted

Yet, restrictive political laws and the lack of proper legal safeguards can discourage youth engagement or push activism underground.

Instead, we need laws that protect freedom of expression and association that allow people to enjoy their rights legally without fear of being targeted. Governance should be transparent and accountable to the people. The press should be allowed to publish news and events freely without being pressured by political actors. Youth participation in policymaking should be ensured by creating youth councils or civic forums. By strengthening these pillars of civic life, Bangladesh can build a democratic culture that nurtures good governance, empowers all people, and strengthens justice, accountability, and shared progress.”

Media Studies and Journalism student Tahsin Ahmed Tanmoy, 19,believes that the elections must herald a new era in Bangladesh characterized by transparency and inclusive governance. Committed to using his skills to help build a more just and participatory society, he wants the new government to show its strength by protecting the right to protest.

“From an early age, I learned that peaceful protest was a democratic right. It was something written into laws and spoken about in classrooms. But as I became more engaged in society, I began to see a contradiction.

Silence often feels safer than speaking out, even when issues directly affect our lives. Many young people hesitate before raising their voices, weighing their desire to speak against the risks of being labeled as troublemakers.

Many young people in Bangladesh face obstacles when they try to organize or participate in peaceful protests. They face administrative restrictions, fear of retaliation, or social pressure to remain silent. Over time, this creates an environment where exercising a fundamental right feels risky.

We want a country where peaceful protest is protected rather than criminalized

The impact goes beyond individual fear. When peaceful protest is discouraged, trust in democratic institutions begins to erode. Young people start to feel that their voices matter only at specific moments, rather than as part of an ongoing democratic process. This distances an entire generation from meaningful participation.

Our expectations are clear and reasonable. We want a country where peaceful protest is protected rather than criminalized, where law enforcement safeguards rights instead of intimidating those who exercise them, and where dissent is recognized as a contribution to society rather than a threat.

A confident and legitimate government does not fear peaceful protest. It understands that listening to criticism strengthens governance and builds long-term stability.”

Md. Nahid Hasan Sharif, 24, is a Statistics student from Dhaka. Shaped by his experiences during the protests of summer 2024, he believes that the government must address the legacy of that uprising by overseeing changes including reform of the police and an end to impunity.

“For me, the July Revolution is a sequence of flashes that continue to plague my evenings. They are more than a chapter in a history book.

I recall being close to the Vatara Police Station on a hot Friday afternoon in July. The thundering thud of sound grenades and the sting of tear gas filled the air. The open flames appeared. I still recall how horrified I was to learn that a rickshaw puller had been shot in front of the station. The crowd exploded in genuine panic as well as rage.

Open and equitable trials must be held for those who ordered the deadly force

The regime’s overthrow on 5 August was not the end of our role. I participated in the victory processions, but I also realized that a city without leaders needs its youth. I went back on the streets in the days that followed, but this time with duty rather than slogans. I controlled traffic when the system failed, stood watch at police stations to stop violence, and painted graffiti that expressed resistance and hope on the walls of our city.

Throughout the election, we have been calling for a New Social Contract that holds people in positions of authority to account. We’re calling for complete rehabilitation for all those injured [during the protests] by the state, including guarantees of employment and financial security. We need institutional reform that safeguards the public, and ensures that no one is ever covertly detained for their opinions. Open and equitable trials must be held for those who ordered the deadly force.”