Bangladesh’s FY2026–27 Budget: Navigating Macroeconomic Rebalancing, Fiscal Consolidation, and Financial Sector Reforms — A...
Bangladesh’s FY2026–27 national budget is being formulated at a pivotal juncture, marked by heightened macroeconomic imbalances, constrained fiscal space, external sector pressures, and structural weaknesses across revenue administration and financial intermediation. In this context, the upcoming budget is expected to function not merely as an expenditure framework but as...
War, Captivity and Return in Sri Lanka – An “emic view” into the life...
Source: Forum Yarl Ajith Boyagoda in Killinocchi in 2005
“A Long Watch” is the memoir of Commodore Ajith Boyagoda, who spent eight years in captivity by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the war-ravaged northern region of Sri Lanka from 1994 until his release in 2002. The book,...
Public Review of the EU Election Observation Mission Final Report on the 2026 Parliamentary...
Public Review of the EU Election Observation Mission Final Report on the 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh
South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF)
Background
On 28 April 2026, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) published its Final Report on the 12 February 2026 parliamentary elections in Bangladesh (1), describing the elections...
US–Bangladesh New Trade Agreement: Impacts of Ending Subsidies in Agriculture and Industry, and Future...
On February 9, 2026, Bangladesh’s interim government signed a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. This agreement has sparked widespread debate regarding Bangladesh’s autonomy in economic policymaking and its sovereignty (CPD April 19, 2026). As an apparent concession, the United States reduced reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods from...
Iran, Israel, and US War: South Asian Migrant Workers and the Need for a...
Introduction:
“It was nothing like any sound I have heard before in my life,” said Vikrant, a 28-year-old Dubai-based Indian delivery worker, recalling the thunder of explosions when Iranian drones struck the United Arab Emirates (Kumar, 2026). Fearing for his safety, he shared only his first name. Today, Vikrant’s anxiety...
SADF NEWSLETTER South Asia Weekly – On the Afghan-Pakistani Border
The Most Consequential Developments Are the Least Reported
In South Asia, the developments most likely to shape the region’s future are often the ones receiving the least international attention. While global media focuses on crises elsewhere, a volatile situation is unfolding between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with implications for regional security,...
SADF PODCAST Wars Beyond Borders: How Two Conflicts Are Reshaping South Asia
On 15 March, 2026, SADF held a podcast called "Wars Beyond Borders: The Impact of Pakistan-Afghanistan and Iran-US Conflicts on South Asia" with Dr. Indira Boutier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWMUPvBVkY8&t=5s
There follows a summary of the discussion:
Wars Beyond Borders: How Two Conflicts Are Reshaping South Asia
South Asia today finds itself caught between two escalating...
Press Release “The International Crimes Tribunals of Bangladesh: The New Government Must Stop the...
The South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF) expresses grave concern over the use of the International Crimes Tribunals of Bangladesh (ICTBD) to target the political leaders of Bangladesh Awami League (ALBD), Jatiyo Somajtantrik Dol (JaSod), Bangladesh Workers Party, journalists and the secular activists and human rights defenders, e.g., Shahriar...
Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslims
In this Substack article, Paulo Casaca examines the ongoing persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslims, highlighting the systemic discrimination, violence, and institutional marginalization faced by the community. The piece calls for stronger international awareness and accountability in defending religious freedom and minority rights.
#ReligiousFreedom #Ahmadiyya #HumanRights #FreedomOfReligion #SouthAsia
https://paulocasaca.substack.com/p/persecution-of-ahmadiyya-muslims?r=1ld3q1
Bridging Borders: The SAARC Solution for Migration Governance – C277
As a development and humanitarian worker, I have observed countless migrant workers working in the middle east whose stories remain unheard. Their luck and overseas life decisions are often determined by their Kafeel (single sponsor who decides the residency and employment status of migrant workers in Middle East countries)....