The State of Human Rights in Bangladesh: A Nation in Transition

 

Presented by: Minhaz Samad Chowdhury

Role: Independent Human Rights Defender

Focus: State Violence · Political Rights · Religious Minority Rights · Democratic Accountability

Introduction

Bangladesh is undergoing a high-stakes political transition. Following the student-led protests of July–August 2024 and the subsequent change in government, an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus pledged reforms, accountability for past abuses, and credible elections scheduled for 12 February 2026.

However, as the election approaches, multiple credible monitors warn that serious human rights risks remain: state-linked violence and impunity, restrictions on political freedoms, escalating insecurity for women and religious minorities, and weakened accountability institutions. This investigative article summarizes verifiable patterns documented by international human rights bodies, Bangladeshi documentation, and reputable media reporting—while also acknowledging reform steps undertaken since 2024.

1) State Violence: Legacy Abuses and Continuing Impunity

2024 Protest Violence: UN Findings

In February 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Office published the results of its independent fact-finding inquiry into abuses connected to the July–August 2024 protests.

• Death Toll: The report estimates up to 1,400 people were killed during the protest period and immediate aftermath.

• Violations: It describes patterns of serious violations—including the use of assault rifles and lethal ammunition against peaceful protesters—that may amount to international crimes.

2025 Trends: Mob Violence and Law Enforcement

While the post-2024 period included promises of reform, national monitoring indicates that violence and impunity remain major concerns:

• Mob Killings: Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) documented 198 "mob beats to death" fatalities across Bangladesh between January and December 2025.

• State-Linked Deaths: ASK’s dataset shows 35 extrajudicial killings/custodial-death incidents in the period of January–October 2025.

• Security Concerns: Government data indicates that of the 3,619 weapons looted during the 2024 uprising, approximately 1,360 remain unaccounted for as of early 2026.

2) Political Rights: Restrictions During the Transition

Anti-Terror Law and Arrests

In October 2025, Human Rights Watch reported a “new crackdown” under the Anti-Terrorism Act, warning that authorities were undermining rights to speech, association, and peaceful activity.

Ban on Political Activities

In May 2025, the interim government banned the activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act. This ban has had significant implications for political pluralism, leading to ongoing debates over legality and due process ahead of the February 2026 polls.

Amnesty Warning

In late January 2026, Amnesty International issued an open letter to Chief Adviser Yunus urging the government to:

1. Protect the rights to life and security.

2. End the misuse of anti-terror legislation against journalists and critics.

3. Ensure an enabling environment for the 12 February elections.

3) Attacks on Media and Civic Space

Assaults on Press Freedom

Multiple sources reported violent attacks targeting major media outlets in December 2025, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo.

• Targeting: Data from the Rights and Risks Analysis Group shows attacks on journalists surged by 230% during the first year of the interim administration compared to the final year of the previous government.

• Litigation: Authorities have canceled the accreditation of at least 200 journalists perceived as sympathetic to the ousted government, frequently naming them in "mass litigation" cases.

CIVICUS Assessment

The CIVICUS Monitor (January 2026) continues to flag concerns regarding the use of security laws to restrict protest and silence cultural spaces.

4) Religious Minority Rights: Heightened Vulnerability

Religious and ethnic minorities face a precarious environment as the election nears.

• Statistical Patterns: Rights groups have reported at least 51 incidents of violence against Hindus, including 10 killings, in recent months.

• Systemic Threats: In December 2025, a 27-year-old worker was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy.

• Women & Girls: Human Rights Watch (January 2026) warned that attacks on women and religious minorities are rising, highlighting gaps in protection and a rise in rhetoric by hardline religious groups seeking to restrict women’s participation in society.

5) Election-Period Violence and Public Security

Election cycles in Bangladesh historically carry heightened risks, and the 2026 cycle is no exception:

• Fatalities: Al Jazeera reported on 27 January 2026 that at least 16 political activists have been killed since the election schedule was announced in December.

• Clashes: The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has recorded at least 62 election-related clashes nationwide since mid-December.

• Specific Incidents: Crude bomb explosions were reported near Christian sites in Dhaka in late 2025, leading to multiple arrests.

6) Democratic Accountability: Reform and Gaps

UN Engagement

In July 2025, the UN Human Rights Office and the Government of Bangladesh signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a UN human rights mission inside the country to support promotion and protection efforts.

The Accountability Challenge

Despite these steps, rights groups emphasize that transitional justice risks becoming selective if institutions—such as the judiciary and police—do not function with full impartiality.

Conclusion: A Rights-Respecting Transition

A durable democratic renewal requires measurable actions, not only promises. The findings on the 2024 crackdown, the continued use of anti-terror laws, and the rising violence against minorities indicate a fragile rights environment.

Prioritized Recommendations

1. End Impunity: Ensure independent prosecutions for all unlawful killings, regardless of political affiliation.

2. Protect Political Freedoms: Halt the misuse of counterterror provisions against peaceful critics; guarantee freedom of assembly.

3. Safeguard Minorities: Establish rapid response mechanisms for at-risk communities and prosecute communal violence consistently.

4. Protect Media: Investigate attacks on journalists and ensure they can operate without intimidation.

5. Strengthen Institutions: Fully operationalize the UN mission MoU to ensure transparent monitoring and judicial independence.

Author’s Note: This article relies on documentation from UN reporting, international human rights organizations (Amnesty, HRW, CIVICUS), and local documentation (ASK, HRSS). It focuses on verifiable patterns and reform-relevant evidence.