Bangladesh's human rights situation worsened in 2025: HRSS report

Human rights violations became more visible across Bangladesh in 2025, with sharp increases in political and election-related violence, mob attacks, assaults on journalists, border killings, and violence against women and children, according to an annual report by Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

The report, released yesterday, is based on media reports and HRSS's own fact-finding.

HRSS recorded 914 incidents of political violence during the year, which left 133 people dead and 7,511 injured. Those killed included 93 BNP activists, 23 Awami League activists, three Jamaat members, one Inqilab Mancha activist, one member of the anti-discrimination student movement, six United People's Democratic Front  (UPDF) members, and one member of an extremist group. Ahead of the 13th national election, 54 incidents of election-related violence resulted in three deaths and 494 injuries.

The report also noted widespread legal action and arrests. At least 244 cases were filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League leaders, and members of other parties. These cases named 11,935 individuals and listed 42,523 people as unnamed accused. More than 50,000 people were arrested in various cases and joint operations, most of them linked to the Awami League, Jubo League, Swechasebak League, and the banned Chhatra League. Police also arrested at least 47 members of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Mob violence and lynching remained a major concern. HRSS documented 292 incidents linked to allegations such as theft, robbery, extortion, dominance disputes, and religious offence claims. These incidents killed 168 people and injured 248.

Journalists faced sustained attacks. In 318 incidents, at least 539 journalists were killed, injured, assaulted, threatened, or harassed. Among them, three were killed, 273 injured, 57 assaulted, 83 threatened, and 17 arrested. In addition, 107 journalists were accused in 34 cases.

Restrictions on freedom of expression also continued. Under the Cyber Security Act 2023 and the Cyber Protection Ordinance 2025, 27 cases led to the arrest of 24 people, while 54 others were accused. Law enforcers disrupted 47 public meetings and rallies, resulting in 512 injuries and 36 arrests.

Deaths in custody remained another area of concern. HRSS recorded 40 deaths linked to shootings, alleged gunfights, torture, custody, and clashes involving law enforcement. At least 92 people died in prisons or in custody, including 30 convicts and 62 undertrial detainees, due to illness, suicide, or alleged torture.

Violence against women and children remained widespread. At least 2,047 women and girls were subjected to violence. Of them, 828 were raped, including 474 children. 179 women and girls were victims of gang rape, and 28 were killed after rape. Ten women died by suicide following such incidents. Sexual harassment affected 414 women and girls, including 236 children. Dowry-related violence killed 35 women and injured 32, while family violence led to 383 deaths and 133 injuries. Acid attacks killed two people and injured two others. Child abuse affected 1,371 children, with 288 deaths reported.

At the India–Bangladesh border, HRSS reported 32 deaths, 39 injuries, and 63 arrests involving India's Border Security Force. At least 3,493 people were pushed into Bangladesh, while 143 fishermen were detained by the Indian Coast Guard in the Bay of Bengal.

The report also noted border incidents involving Myanmar's Arakan Army, including injuries and deaths from gunfire and landmine explosions, and the detention of 176 fishermen along with 21 fishing trawlers.

HRSS Executive Director Ijajul Islam said coordinated efforts are needed across state and society to strengthen the rule of law, democratic processes, and human rights protections. 

"Without addressing mob violence, custodial deaths, political tension, election-related violence, and restrictions on free expression, the human rights situation could deteriorate further," he warned.