• Rising Extremism

• Human Rights Abuses and Political Reprisals

• Attacks on Press Freedom

• Crackdown on Dissent and Minority Rights

• Use of the International Crimes Tribunal

• Concerns Over Stalled Reforms

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a stark warning about the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh under the Yunus administration. In a report released on January 27, 2025, the international human rights organization condemned widespread political repression, human rights violations, suppression of press freedom, and the rise of extremism under the current government. Below are key excerpts from the report:

Background: The Monsoon Revolution and Its Aftermath

On August 5, 2024, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to step down following three weeks of intense student-led protests, dubbed the Monsoon Revolution by many Bangladeshis. The interim government, which took power in the wake of Hasina’s departure, pledged to hold free and fair elections after overhauling key institutions, including the security sector and the judiciary. It also promised to enact legislative reforms through presidential orders, which would later be ratified by an elected parliament.

However, the interim government faces significant challenges, including resistance from powerful and politicized security forces that have long operated with impunity. Despite its reform agenda, the government has struggled to address systemic issues, leading to a resurgence of security force abuses and political reprisals—this time targeting perceived supporters of the Awami League.

Rising Extremism

Groups promoting extremist Islam have intensified attacks on minority communities, particularly Hindus and Ahmadiyyas. Ethnic minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts continue to face discrimination and violence at the hands of authorities. While the interim government has introduced a new ordinance to replace a repressive law used to stifle free speech under the Awami League, the new legislation retains many of the same harmful provisions.

Human Rights Abuses and Political Reprisals

Despite its reformist rhetoric, the interim government has failed to curb abusive practices by law enforcement. In the first two months of its tenure, over 1,000 police cases were filed against tens of thousands of individuals, primarily Awami League members, accusing them of murder, corruption, and other crimes. Over 400 Awami League ministers and leaders are under investigation. In some cases, complainants were unaware of who was being accused, with local political leaders pressuring them to sign police reports.

Police have also continued the practice of filing mass criminal complaints against unnamed individuals, a tactic used to intimidate and threaten critics. Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, noted:

“A core criticism of Sheikh Hasina’s government was its blatant misuse of laws to imprison, harass, and intimidate political opponents, critics, and independent media. It is deeply concerning that we may be witnessing a revival of the same practices under a different guise.”

Attacks on Press Freedom

Authorities have targeted journalists critical of the government, filing murder charges against at least 140 reporters for their coverage of the Monsoon Revolution and revoking over 150 press accreditations. When questioned about these cases, Prime Minister Yunus defended the actions, stating they were carried out under “old laws and practices.” This underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent the abuse of power, regardless of who is in charge.

Crackdown on Dissent and Minority Rights

The interim government banned the Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, due to its alleged involvement in violence. However, it has yet to take action against other student and youth groups accused of similar offenses.

In a troubling development, authorities charged 19 individuals with sedition for allegedly desecrating the national flag and arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das, an official of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Violent protests erupted during Das’s court appearance, resulting in the death of Saiful Islam, a Muslim prosecutor.

Attacks on Hindu minorities have also surged, with at least 88 cases of communal violence reported between August 5 and October 22, 2024. Hindu groups claim hundreds of incidents of vandalism targeting businesses, homes, and places of worship.

Use of the International Crimes Tribunal

The interim government has decided to use the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), a domestic court originally established to prosecute crimes during Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war, to address human rights abuses during the Monsoon Revolution. However, the ICT has a history of violating fair trial standards, and while the government has proposed amendments to align the court with international norms, it still lacks adequate due process protections and retains the death penalty, which contravenes international human rights law.

As of November 2024, prosecutors had filed 80 complaints of crimes against humanity and genocide at the ICT, including against Sheikh Hasina and senior members of her cabinet. Many of the accused have fled the country and are likely to be tried in absentia.

Concerns Over Stalled Reforms

Student leaders and activists have expressed growing concern that the interim government is being constrained by domestic and international political interests. Many fear that the pace of reforms has slowed, jeopardizing the promise of lasting change. As one student leader remarked:

“Throughout Bangladesh’s history, people have repeatedly had to shed blood to restore democracy. We want this cycle to end. We need lasting reforms, strong institutions, and empowered citizens to ensure authoritarianism never returns. No Bangladeshi should have to sacrifice their life again for democracy.”

The Path to Reform

To ensure lasting change, Human Rights Watch has outlined several critical steps:

1. Security Sector Reform: Donor governments should support comprehensive security sector reforms, including police training, while prioritizing structural changes to ensure accountability and political neutrality.

2. Independent Oversight: The interim government should establish independent oversight mechanisms for key institutions, such as the Election Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, and National Human Rights Commission, with input from civil society.

3. Legal Reforms: Laws that enable impunity, such as sections 197(1) and 132 of the Criminal Procedure Code, should be repealed or revised. The Armed Forces Act and related legislation should be amended to ensure that security personnel accused of human rights violations are tried in civilian courts.

4. Use of Force Standards: The government should adopt international standards on the use of force, requiring mandatory reporting and independent review of all law enforcement actions.

5. Ending Arbitrary Detentions: The interim government must prohibit mass arrests and vague charges, establish independent oversight of law enforcement, and ensure that all detentions comply with due process.

6. Prison and Detention Reforms: The government should enforce UN standards for the treatment of prisoners and detainees, including the Nelson Mandela Rules, and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture.

7. International Support: The Yunus government should seek assistance from UN experts and other international bodies to investigate abuses and recommend reforms. It should also support a resolution at the Human Rights Council to ensure continued monitoring and reporting by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Conclusion

Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. The interim government’s commitment to reform must be matched by concrete actions to address systemic abuses and build strong, independent institutions. Without meaningful change, the cycle of repression and violence will continue, undermining the hopes of millions of Bangladeshis for a democratic and rights-respecting future.