About: Bangladesh

Nine UN Security Council members ask to discuss Myanmar inquiry

The chair of a United Nations inquiry that accused Myanmar's military of genocide is likely to brief the Security Council this month after Britain, France, the United States and six other members requested the meeting, diplomats said on Tuesday (16 October).

EU lawmakers visit Bangladesh camps, call for more efforts to help Rohingyas

Members of the European Parliament have called for increased efforts in dealing with the Rohingya crisis, after learning about the appalling conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh. EURACTIV's partner efe-epa reports.

Nations pledge $345 million to Rohingya response

Nations have pledged $345 million (€294 million) to care for Myanmar's Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, an "encouraging" step in the response to the intensifying crisis, the UN said on Monday (23 October).

High time for Commission to impose transparency in garment supply chain

The time has come for the European Commission to develop a smart mix of rules for the garment industry to avoid tragedies like the collapse of the Rana Plaza, writes Hélène Mambourg.

Bangladesh crackdown calls preferential EU trade deal into question

The latest crackdown on Bangladesh’s garment workers for demanding relief from poverty wages and hazardous working conditions must call into question the country’s continuing eligibility for trade preferences under the EU’s GSP regime, write trade union organisations.

Refugees attack EU asylum offices on Lesvos

Asylum-seekers attacked the premises of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) on the island of Lesbos on Monday (24 October), protesting against delays in dealing with asylum claims, Greek and EU authorities said.

Swedwatch: Report highlights abuses in Bangladeshi tobacco industry

The EU should require traceability of raw tobacco from a farmer to the final product, and include country of origin in export and import information, a Swedish campaign group told EURACTIV.com.

Business and human rights: The world is still waiting for action

The international community adopted the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in June 2011, pledging to address the adverse impacts of business activities. Five years later, progress has been minimal, writes Jerome Chaplier.

Caspary: TTIP could provide ‘more productive market access’ to LDCs

When it comes to TTIP, safeguarding standards and pushing European or American interests are top of both camps’ agendas. But how would an eventual agreement affect developing countries and their access to the global market? EURACTIV Germany reports.

Three years after Rana Plaza: Progress on corporate responsibility remains modest

More than one thousand workers died in the Rana Plaza factory collapse. Responsible business initiatives have since emerged, but EU companies are still not obligated to prevent human rights abuses in their supply chain, write Paige Morrow and Jérôme Chaplier.

Bangladeshi dissident: ‘EU must help end enforced disappearances’

Adilur Rahman Khan, a leading lawyer and human rights activist in Bangladesh, is now facing the possibility of a lengthy jail term for "defaming the state".

NGO founder: Sustainable Development Goals will work

Fazle Hasan Abed sold his flat in 1971 and used the money to set up BRAC, which is now considered to be the world's largest NGO. El País - Planeta Futuro reports.

UNICEF report: €2.6 billion needed in 2016

In a report published on Tuesday (26 January), UNICEF estimated that it will need €2.6 billion in 2016 in order to help 76 million at-risk people, of which 43 million are children, in 63 countries around the world. EURACTIV's partner El País - Planeta Futuro reports.

EU aims to crack down on unsustainable palm oil and illegal logging

In the next five years, the major European players, including Germany, want palm oil production to become 100% sustainable and to see an end to illegal logging. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany backs island nations’ bid for 1.5 degrees target

The international community wants to agree on a two degree limit at the COP21 summit, but smaller island-nations want a 1.5 degree limit - and they will enjoy German support. EURACTIV's partner Tagesspiegel reports.

COP21: Millions more to go hungry if CO2 levels continue to rise

Global food security is a crucial issue that will be addressed at the COP21 summit. Our partner Journal de l’Environnemment reports.

Illiteracy will cost global economy $1.2tn in 2015

Illiteracy is “a worldwide crisis” that will cost the global economy $1.2tn (£760bn) this year, the World Literacy Foundation (WLF) has warned. More than 796 million people are either completely illiterate, meaning they can’t read or write, or functionally illiterate, meaning they can’t perform basic tasks such as reading a medicine label, the WLF said in a report released on Monday (pdf).

German fair textile initiative seeks international alliance

Almost two years since the Rana Plaza factory disaster in Bangladesh, German textile associations agreed on membership requirements for the government's proposed textile alliance, while apparel manufacturing giants still reject the project. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU aims for global standards against slave labour and exploitation

T-shirts for €4.95 and bananas at €1 per kilo – such prices often disguise unsafe working conditions and labor exploitation, inspiring EU Development Commissioner Mimica, and the German government, to push for an end such abuses. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Youth unemployment ‘a timebomb’ in developing countries, UK MPs say

The world needs to wake up to “the ticking timebomb” of youth unemployment in developing countries and treat the issue as seriously as humanitarian disasters and global efforts to eradicate disease, a group of British MPs has warned.

OECD praises UK for its effort to fight global poverty

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has urged the UK to maintain its commitment to foreign aid, as it praised the country’s efforts in fighting global poverty despite the financial crisis.

Remittances and savings of the diaspora can finance development

There are more than 230 million international migrants worldwide - more than the population of the world’s fifth most populous country, Brazil. To help finance development, new “diaspora” financial instruments, or diaspora bonds, could be created, write Mahmoud Mohieldin and Dilip Ratha.

German NGOs and businesses attack social labelling plans

Plans to promote sustainably produced clothing announced by German Development Minister Gerd Müller are under attack. Apparel producers and NGOs consider the approach unrealistic, while the Green Party spoke of deliberate deception. EURACTIV Germany reports.