[🇧🇩] Human Rights in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Anger against Awami League justified, lawlessness not: HRW

The rights watchdog suggested that the Yunus government should propose a consensus resolution at the upcoming UNHRC session in March for assistance.

en.prothomalo.com

Anger against Awami League justified, lawlessness not: HRW
Prothom Alo English Desk
Published: 07 Feb 2025, 21: 41

Human Rights Watch has stressed maintaining the law and order situation in Bangladesh, saying, “while anger against the former Awami League government is justified, lawlessness is not.”

Meenakshi Ganguly, its deputy director for Asia, issued the statement on Thursday, against the backdrop of demolition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s family home in the capital’s Dhanmondi area.

The report – titled ‘Mob in Bangladesh destroys ousted PM’s family home – addressed demolition of Sheikh Hasina’s family home and properties owned by her relatives and party leaders.

“The attack, a so-called “bulldozer procession,” was announced and shared on social media. However, the authorities were still unable to protect the properties,” it noted, reminding that the nation “should not spiral once again into deadly abuses.”

The rights watchdog suggested that the Yunus government should propose a consensus resolution at the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council session in March to request technical assistance, further investigations, and monitoring and reporting by UN-backed human rights experts. The resolution should also acknowledge the tyranny of the previous administration and recognise positive human rights steps taken by the interim government.

“Bangladeshis, anxious to see justice done, should support a United Nations-backed mechanism that can help secure a democratic future instead of succumbing to a cycle of violence and revenge,” it added.

Regarding the ousted regime, the report noted six months ago, in August 2024, Sheikh Hasina stepped down after 15 years of repression, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances.

Protests led by students, described by many as the monsoon revolution, eventually forced her into exile in India.

Hasina’s Awami League party government, which had remained in office through consecutive unfair elections, attempted to quell the protests with excessive force, leading to over 800 deaths.

The report also addressed the background of vandalism at the ousted prime minister's family home and noted that the development came as Hasina was going to address her supporters online. “There is growing demand on India to repatriate Hasina. But the Indian government will be required, under international standards, to evaluate risks ahead of extradition.”

Regarding the current administration in Bangladesh, Human Rights Watch said the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has embarked upon reforms to repair institutions, including the justice system. It is also taking steps towards accountability for rights violations and corruption, and has pledged credible elections.

However, the Yunus administration is under pressure from increasingly restless citizens, including political groups, students, or families of those harmed during the monsoon revolution, it observed.

The report also mentioned a misinformation campaign against the interim government regarding alleged abuses against religious minorities.

"While it is facing a campaign of misinformation about alleged abuses against religious and ethnic minorities, it has yet to successfully reassure minority groups, particularly Hindus, who fear attacks. The military is obstructing access to sites of previous unlawful detentions and destroying evidence, apparently to protect its image," the statement added.​

 

[Bilal9]

Anger against Awami League justified, lawlessness not: HRW

The rights watchdog suggested that the Yunus government should propose a consensus resolution at the upcoming UNHRC session in March for assistance.

en.prothomalo.com

Anger against Awami League justified, lawlessness not: HRW
Prothom Alo English Desk
Published: 07 Feb 2025, 21: 41

View attachment 14180

Human Rights Watch has stressed maintaining the law and order situation in Bangladesh, saying, “while anger against the former Awami League government is justified, lawlessness is not.”

Meenakshi Ganguly, its deputy director for Asia, issued the statement on Thursday, against the backdrop of demolition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s family home in the capital’s Dhanmondi area.

The report – titled ‘Mob in Bangladesh destroys ousted PM’s family home – addressed demolition of Sheikh Hasina’s family home and properties owned by her relatives and party leaders.

“The attack, a so-called “bulldozer procession,” was announced and shared on social media. However, the authorities were still unable to protect the properties,” it noted, reminding that the nation “should not spiral once again into deadly abuses.”

The rights watchdog suggested that the Yunus government should propose a consensus resolution at the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council session in March to request technical assistance, further investigations, and monitoring and reporting by UN-backed human rights experts. The resolution should also acknowledge the tyranny of the previous administration and recognise positive human rights steps taken by the interim government.

“Bangladeshis, anxious to see justice done, should support a United Nations-backed mechanism that can help secure a democratic future instead of succumbing to a cycle of violence and revenge,” it added.

Regarding the ousted regime, the report noted six months ago, in August 2024, Sheikh Hasina stepped down after 15 years of repression, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances.

Protests led by students, described by many as the monsoon revolution, eventually forced her into exile in India.

Hasina’s Awami League party government, which had remained in office through consecutive unfair elections, attempted to quell the protests with excessive force, leading to over 800 deaths.

The report also addressed the background of vandalism at the ousted prime minister's family home and noted that the development came as Hasina was going to address her supporters online. “There is growing demand on India to repatriate Hasina. But the Indian government will be required, under international standards, to evaluate risks ahead of extradition.”

Regarding the current administration in Bangladesh, Human Rights Watch said the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has embarked upon reforms to repair institutions, including the justice system. It is also taking steps towards accountability for rights violations and corruption, and has pledged credible elections.

However, the Yunus administration is under pressure from increasingly restless citizens, including political groups, students, or families of those harmed during the monsoon revolution, it observed.

The report also mentioned a misinformation campaign against the interim government regarding alleged abuses against religious minorities.

"While it is facing a campaign of misinformation about alleged abuses against religious and ethnic minorities, it has yet to successfully reassure minority groups, particularly Hindus, who fear attacks. The military is obstructing access to sites of previous unlawful detentions and destroying evidence, apparently to protect its image," the statement added.​

Meenakshi Ganguly, huge closet India and AL shill - should worry more about human rights violations in India.

Her role in exposing human rights violations in Bangladesh during the August 2024 revolution and uprising was zero.

It is regrettable to see that she (being a Hindu herself) is also joining the ranks of Hindutva people in India on accusations of 'fake Hindu repression' in Bangladesh. I am sure her superiors at HRW have already been notified about this.

 

[Saif]

Chief adviser reaffirms commitment to upholding human rights

Chief Adviser Professor Yunus on Tuesday reaffirmed his government's commitment to upholding the human rights of every citizen of the country irrespective of their colour, creed, race, sex and gender. The attacks on the minorities, notably Hindus, following the changeover in August last year were

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Chief adviser reaffirms commitment to upholding human rights
BSS
Published :
Mar 18, 2025 20:19
Updated :
Mar 18, 2025 20:26

Chief Adviser Professor Yunus on Tuesday reaffirmed his government's commitment to upholding the human rights of every citizen of the country irrespective of their colour, creed, race, sex and gender.

The attacks on the minorities, notably Hindus, following the changeover in August last year were politically, not religiously motivated, but the interim government has taken prompt actions against the culprits, he said.

The chief adviser came up with the statement when US Senator Gary Peters called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

Professor Yunus has urged the US senator to visit cities and towns across Bangladesh and invited other US political leaders, journalists, and activists to tour the country to know the actual information on religious harmony, said a spokesperson of the CA Office.

During the hour-long meeting, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to deepen relationships between the two friendly countries.

Senator Peters enquired about the reform initiatives of the Interim Government, the reports of key commissions and the interim government's plan to hold free and fair elections.

The chief adviser said the government would hold elections in December if the political parties agreed to fewer reforms. But the general elections would be held a few months later if the parties wanted a bigger package of reforms from the interim government.

"The election will be free and fair. It will be held in a festive mood. There will be big celebrations on the election day, like the ones we have seen in the past," the chief adviser said.

Professor Yunus said the political parties would sign a July Charter once they agreed to the reforms proposed by the major commissions. "The July Charter will set the future course of the country," he said.

Peters appreciated the reform agenda of the government, saying the US was looking forward to a smooth democratic transition in Bangladesh.

Senator Peters said many Bangladeshi-origin people reside in his constituency in Michigan, including the city of Detroit. Some of them have expressed concern over the attacks on the minorities in recent months, he added.

He said there have also been massive amounts of misinformation over the minority attacks. Some of this misinformation has permeated into the US, raising concerns among minority groups, he said.

"We need your help. Please tell your friends to travel to Bangladesh. This way we can combat these misinformation campaigns," he said.

The two leaders also discussed social businesses, a world without poverty and microcredit as a tool to fight poverty both in the US and the rest of the world.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/us-appreciates-bangladeshs-measures-to-ensure-safety-security-for-all

US appreciates Bangladesh’s measures to ensure safety, security for all
Published :
Mar 20, 2025 14:34
Updated :
Mar 20, 2025 14:34

The United States (US) has welcomed measures taken by Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure safety and security for all in Bangladesh, noting that they “condemn” any instances of violence or intolerance directed toward members of minority communities in any country.

“That’s what we’re watching. That’s what we expect. And that will be what continues,” said US State Department’s Spokesperson Tammy Bruce while responding to a question at a regular media briefing in Washington on March 19 when a questioner referred to US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard’s recent remarks, UNB reports.

Reacting to remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard, the interim government on Monday said groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an "Islamist caliphate” undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability and progress.

In a statement shared by the Chief Adviser’s press wing, the government said Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of “Islamist caliphate”.

The government noted with deep concern and distress the remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged “persecution and killing” of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that “the threat of Islamic terrorists” in the country is “rooted” in the “ideology and objective” to “rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate."

This statement, the interim government said, is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism.

"Gabbard's comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush," said the government in its statement.

Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts, the government said.​

 

[Saif]

UN to open rights office in Dhaka soon: resident coordinator

United Nations resident coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis on Wednesday said that the UN would soon open its human rights office in Bangladesh as the process was already finalised...

www.newagebd.net

UN to open rights office in Dhaka soon: resident coordinator
Staff Correspondent 04 June, 2025, 16:56

United Nations resident coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis on Wednesday said that the UN would soon open its human rights office in Bangladesh as the process was already finalised.

‘We have finalised the process to formally open a small office of the human rights council in Bangladesh,’ said the UN resident coordinator at a dialogue with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Responding to a question about the much-talked-about UN proposal for allowing a humanitarian corridor to the conflict-ridden Rakhine state of Myanmar through Bangladesh, she said that it was a legal issue requiring an agreement among all parties involved. The Bangladesh government and Myanmar government along with other parties concerned here will have to agree on providing the humanitarian corridor to Rakhine first.

The UN could support only all parties concerned reached a legal agreement in this regard, Gwyn Lewis said and added that there was no such humanitarian corridor to Rakhine at present.

About the UN’s position on the next elections, she said they were extending technical support for free, fair and credible polls and also for transitional justice and reforms in various sectors.

She said that the people and political parties in the country would decide when the election would be held.Political party merchandise

Responding to a question relating to the ban on Awami League activities and inclusive elections, she said that the election could be inclusive if people from all segments of the society could cast their votes freely.

She said that people’s participation was the key determinant of inclusivity of an election.

She, however, said that the participation and inclusion of all political parties would help prevent a ‘potentially polarised situation’.

Regarding the Rohingya crisis since Bangladesh was hosting around 1.3 displaced people from Myanmar for around eight years, the UN official said that they were trying to find a political solution to the crisis for a safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation to their homeland.

DCAB president AKM Moinuddin and general secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun also spoke at the event titled ‘DCAB Talk’.

The interim government earlier agreed with the UN on the establishment of the UN human rights office in Dhaka for further investigations into human rights violations during the student-led mass uprising that forced the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.

The UN fact-finding mission in its report published on February 12 said that the Sheikh Hasina regime and security and intelligence services, alongside violent elements associated with the Awami League, systematically engaged in a range of serious human rights violations during the student-led protests.

During his visit in October 2024, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in a meeting with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka expressed his willingness to strengthen their presence in Bangladesh.Political party merchandise

After a similar meeting with Volker Turk, social welfare adviser Sharmeen S Murshid said on October 29, 2024 that an office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner would be established in Dhaka soon.

She said that the interim government agreed on it.

Asked for comment about the mandate and implication of the UN rights office, former foreign secretary and the president of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, M Humayun Kabir, said that such UN offices usually work to prevent the recurrence of rights abuses as happened here during the July uprising.

Established in 2006, the Human Rights Council is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

UN Human Rights’ 18 country or stand-alone offices include 16 country offices in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Liberia, Mauritania, Mexico, Niger, the State of Palestine, the Syrian Arab Republic (based in Beirut), Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen; one field-based structure in Seoul that covers the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

In establishing country offices and stand-alone offices, UN Human Rights negotiates with the host government a full mandate that includes human rights protection and promotion.

A mandate typically includes human rights monitoring and analysis, protection, interaction with and the provision of technical assistance to the host government, national authorities, civil society, victims and other relevant counterparts through targeted technical cooperation activities, capacity-building and public reporting, according to the UN rights office.​

 

[Saif]

UN human rights body to set up office in Bangladesh for three years

The interim government on Sunday approved a draft memorandum of understanding in principle regarding establishing an office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the country to strengthen cooperation in dealing with human rights issues...

www.newagebd.net

UN human rights body to set up office in Bangladesh for three years
Staff Correspondent 29 June, 2025, 18:29

Chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam and law affairs adviser Asif Nazrul talk to reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Sunday. | UNB photo

The interim government on Sunday approved a draft memorandum of understanding in principle regarding establishing an office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the country to strengthen cooperation in dealing with human rights issues.

The council of advisors of the interim government at a meeting, chaired by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, approved the draft of the MoU in principle regarding setting up an office of the OHCHR, said law adviser Asif Nazrul at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.

Noting that the OHCHR submitted a very important report on the genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising, he said ‘Our government has been in discussion with them for long. There has been significant progress in the discussions.’

He said that the advisers would further examine the draft and the final text of the draft would be sent to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

Once they (UN side) agreed, he said, they hoped to sign the MoU soon as possible and based on the signed MoU, an office would be established in Bangladesh, primarily for three years.

He said that if the two sides thought renewal was necessary, renewal of the MoU could be considered.

‘If in the future, and even if during our government’s tenure, serious human rights violations occur, we hope that the state’s human rights agencies as well as the local office of the OHCHR will be able to play an important role,’ he said.

A milestone was the interim government’s invitation to the OHCHR for an independent fact-finding mission following the July unrest, he mentioned.

The UN Fact-Finding Mission last year submitted a report on the human rights violations highlighting the events of July and August last year.

The report said that about 1,400 people were killed during the July uprising and in the aftermath.

The interim government earlier agreed with the UN on establishing the UN human rights office in Dhaka for further investigations into human rights violations during the student-led mass uprising that overthrew the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.

The UN fact-finding mission in its report published on February 12 this year said that the Hasina regime and security and intelligence services, alongside violent elements associated with Awami League, systematically engaged in a range of serious human rights violations during the student-led protests.

During his visit to Dhaka in October 2024, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, in a meeting with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, expressed his willingness to strengthen their presence in Bangladesh.

Established in 2006, the Human Rights Council is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

UN Human Rights’ 18 country or stand-alone offices include 16 country offices in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Liberia, Mauritania, Mexico, Niger, the State of Palestine, the Syrian Arab Republic (based in Beirut), Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen; one field-based structure in Seoul that covers the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, according to the OHCHR.

In establishing country offices and stand-alone offices, UN Human Rights negotiates with the host government a full mandate that includes human rights protection and promotion.

A mandate typically includes human rights monitoring and analysis, protection, interaction with and the provision of technical assistance to the host government, national authorities, civil society, victims and other relevant counterparts through targeted technical cooperation activities, capacity-building and public reporting, according to the UN rights office.​

 

[Saif]

OHCHR office in Dhaka under draft discussion: Touhid

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is set to establish a mission branch in Bangladesh, which is currently under draft discussion, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said. “It is still at the draft stage,” he told reporters at the foreign

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

OHCHR office in Dhaka under draft discussion: Touhid

BSS
Published :
Jul 03, 2025 21:38
Updated :
Jul 03, 2025 21:38

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is set to establish a mission branch in Bangladesh, which is currently under draft discussion, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said.

“It is still at the draft stage,” he told reporters at the foreign ministry here this afternoon when asked under what conditions the OHCHR office would be established in Dhaka.

Hossain added, “Once the draft exchange is complete and we reach a final agreed draft where not even a word needs to be changed, we will sign it. At that point, we will be able to share the details with you. Until then, it is better not to discuss it while it remains in draft form.”

The adviser informed that Bangladesh and OHCHR have exchanged the draft with revisions four times, and the draft is currently under review at the OHCHR end following the latest changes made by Dhaka.

Hossain noted that Bangladesh and OHCHR have, in principle, agreed to establish the office in Dhaka for three years, with a review scheduled after two years.

The plan to open an OHCHR mission branch in Bangladesh recently received policy-level approval at a meeting of the Advisory Council.

Meanwhile, responding to a question on the proposed name for the next UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Hossain said, “We will need to provide the agrément (official consent). We have not yet processed the agrément. Let the process proceed, and then we will respond.”

Currently, Gwen Lewis serves as the UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka.​

 

[Saif]

Where is the rule of law?

HRSS report paints a grim picture of human rights violations

www.thedailystar.net

Where is the rule of law?
HRSS report paints a grim picture of human rights violations

VISUAL: STAR

The latest half-yearly report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) reveals a worrying trend in rights violations during the first half of the year. The rights group has reported an alarming rise in incidents of violence against women and children, including rape, as well as political killings, mob lynchings, assaults on journalists, custodial deaths, and attacks targeting minorities and religious shrines. In addition to these abuses, the report also highlights a sharp increase in crimes such as extortion, theft, snatching, robbery, and murder. Such persistent violations have shaken people's trust in law enforcement in post-uprising Bangladesh, where many had hoped the rule of law would be firmly upheld.

In the first half of the year, at least 1,042 women and girls were reportedly subjected to sexual violence, with an alarming 60 percent of victims being minors. Of the 476 documented rape cases, 292 involved minors. The persistence of these incidents—including the recent rapes in Cumilla and Bhola, the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Magura, and the death of a six-year-old in Munshiganj after a rape attempt—highlights deeper, systemic failures.

The sharp rise in mob violence during this time has also exposed a troubling state of the country's law-and-order situation. According to the report, 141 incidents across Bangladesh led to 67 deaths and 119 injuries. Data from Ain o Salish Kendra reveals that 179 individuals have been killed by mob attacks between August 2024 and June 23 this year. While these figures are deeply alarming, what is equally disturbing is the lack of proper response and accountability from law enforcement agencies.

During the first half of the year, at least 529 incidents of political violence were also reported, leaving 79 dead and over 4,100 injured. The HRSS also documented an alarming rise in custodial deaths and enforced disappearances—40 deaths in jail custody and 14 in law enforcement-related incidents. Journalists also faced mounting threats during this period, with 257 subjected to harassment or assault in 152 incidents. Additionally, legal action was taken against 92 journalists under the Cyber Security Act.

This situation must be reversed. We urge the government to ensure the rule of law across the country. Impunity for violence against women, child abuse, and increasing rape incidents must end, and swift action is needed to curb mob violence. However, restoring justice is not the government's responsibility alone. Political parties and civil society must also step up, as reversing the current trend requires a combined effort. The fundamental and constitutional rights of citizens must be protected through effective control of the law-and-order situation.​