A recent UNHRC side event titled "Human Rights Violations and the Rise of Islamic Terrorism in Bangladesh" has brought global attention to escalating human rights abuses and the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh under the interim leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Organized by the Tumuku Development and Cultural Union (TACUDU), the event featured international activists and experts who voiced concerns over minority persecution, the rise of extremism, and the shrinking space for democratic freedoms in the country. Speakers called for urgent international intervention to address these growing threats to human rights and democratic values in Bangladesh. At the event International human rights experts, activists, and defenders have expressed grave concerns over the worsening human rights situation in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The Tumuku Development and Cultural Union (TACUDU) hosted a side event titled "Human Rights Violations and the Rise of Islamic Terrorism in Bangladesh" on March 26, 2025, during the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

The event spotlighted the deteriorating law and order situation, widespread human rights abuses, persecution of minorities, and the alarming rise of Islamic extremism in Bangladesh under the interim rule of Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

In his opening remarks, Fazal ur Rehman Afridi, Principal Representative at TACUDU and a prominent human rights activist, warned of a "meteoric rise" in extremist forces in Bangladesh over the past seven months. He emphasized that these groups operate with impunity, threatening pluralism and devastating millions who uphold tolerance and coexistence. Afridi's remarks underscored the deepening crisis, highlighting the unchecked rise of extremism and its impact on democratic values and minority rights.

The panel featured distinguished speakers, including Paul Bristow (former UK Conservative MP), Sahar Zand (British-Iranian television and radio presenter), Dr. Rayhan Rashid (Advocate and Legal Consultant at Oxford Matrix), and Priyajit Debsarkar (Geopolitical Analyst).

Sahar Zand described the situation in Bangladesh as "truly alarming," sharing her fears following a recent visit. "The international media is not covering what is happening in the country. It seems like the world is turning a blind eye," she said. "Bangladesh is on the brink of becoming another Afghanistan, Iraq, or Iran—nations that have endured significant upheavals." Zand also highlighted the assaults on minorities and the lack of local and international media coverage, calling for urgent global attention.

Human rights lawyer Rayhan Rashid painted a grim picture of Bangladesh since August 8, under Dr. Yunus's leadership. He detailed the rising hostilities faced by transgender and LGBTQ communities, alongside increasing attacks on minorities. "Political opposition has been silenced, journalists are being detained or forced into hiding, and freedom of expression is shrinking," Rashid noted, citing his investigations into rights abuses. He also criticized the global perception of Yunus as a reformer, arguing that it obscures the harsh realities in Bangladesh.

Geopolitical analyst Priyajit Debsarkar issued a stark warning: "We cannot risk witnessing another genocide in Bangladesh. Since August 5, tensions have escalated, endangering advocates for liberation values rooted in the spirit of the 1971 War of Liberation." He stressed the need for collective action to combat these "fascist elements," which pose a threat not only to Bangladesh but to the broader global community.