Asia

Political disappearances plague Bangladesh

Human rights organisations say about 100 people, mostly political activists, have disappeared in the last year in Bangladesh.

Among them is Ilyas Ali, a former parliament member from the region of Sylhet. He was seen as a rising figure among the ranks of the opposition. Ali's wife is convinced security forces abducted him because of his political activities.

While her fears are not groundless, it is also true that local politicians are often linked to organised crime. Many of those who have disappeared had a criminal past. Ali, for example, had spent time in prison on suspicion of murder.

Adilur Rahman, a Dhaka-based human-rights lawyer, believes that the disappearances reveal the shortcomings of the justice system.

There is a two-three year backlog of cases in court and criminals often go unpunished.

"Many local politicians believe they are above the law," Rahman says. "These disappearances are a form of quick justice."

Opening the Wagah border

A typical day at the Wagah border, usually ends with a show of muscle. Giant, hulking soldiers stride defiantly on the ceremonial border separating India from Pakistan. 

With each menacing step, they  confront each other, while their citizens’ cheer on from the stands. It’s a sort of diplomatic haka dance played out in front of hundreds, finally culminating in the two countries flags being unfurled and folded. 

Today, April 13, it’s different.

Instead of a hyper nationalistic performance, there’s a whiff of hope - and yes, even peace - in the air. And what’s bringing this change is good old fashioned business.

Aceh: the happier sequel

The ingredients were for a disaster that would be unimaginable, were it not also a potential re-run.

A massive earthquake, just offshore from Indonesia's Aceh province; a tsunami warning active.

Just over six years ago, the result was an actual tsunami so devastating that 170,000 died in that one province alone.

At Sydney airport, "Tsunami - The Return" was what I thought I was heading to cover.

It didn't turn out that way. At a 4am stopover in Kuala Lumpur, the smartphones of all the journalists abroad started to buzz with better news. No tsunami had materialised. Damage was light. For some, that was the end of the trip.

Journalists told by their newsdesks to turn around and head home. Few deaths; no story.

I carried on. How people dodged the bullet can be as interesting as any disaster. I took my connecting flights.  

Banda Aceh's people know they were lucky. In 2004, so many died because so few expected what came.

Siachen Glacier: World's highest battleground

Siachen Glacier, 71km long and one of the world's largest glaciers, is situated in the north of the disputed region of Kashmir.

This is a land seen by only determined mountaineers or adventurers, a place that can test human endurance against the rigours of high altitude and turbulent terrain. 

But this is also the worlds highest battleground, where two nuclear armed states are locked in a struggle to keep a foothold at heights of 6700 metres.

Ever since Indian forces occupied the Siachen Glacier in 1984, both India and Pakistan have fought intermittent artillery duels.

In winter, temperatures here can plummet to minus 70 degrees and an estimated force of around 10,000 to 20,000 troops from India and Pakistan are deployed on this high altitude territory where mother nature and high altitude has left more soldiers dead than combat.