The human rights situation in the country was worrying in the 17 months from September 2024 to January 2026, according to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). The organization said that during this period, there were various human rights violations, including political violence, mass beatings, torture of journalists, interference with freedom of expression, border killings, and deterioration of the law and order situation.

The organization also said that while the interim government formed after the 2024 popular uprising took some initiatives to improve judicial independence and human rights, in reality these steps were insufficient compared to what was needed. As a result, public frustration and anxiety about the security of citizens, human dignity, and social justice have increased.

These were stated in the report 'Human Rights Situation after the July Uprising and Pre-Election Violence' at a press conference held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club on Wednesday (February 4). The report was read out in front of the media by HRSS Executive Director Ijazul Islam.

195 killed, over 11,000 injured in political violence

The report said that in the last 17 months of the interim government, 1,411 political violence incidents have occurred in the country, resulting in at least 195 deaths and 11,219 injuries. The main causes have been attributed to dominance, political revenge, rally-based violence, disputes over committee formation, election-based conflicts, extortion and occupation of facilities. The BNP has been hit the hardest—7,131 people were injured and 121 were killed in 704 incidents.

On the other hand, 156 people have been killed and 249 injured in at least 236 incidents of attacks by terrorists and miscreants. In the last 17 months, more than 300 people have been shot, more than 100 political offices, more than 130 houses, businesses and vehicles have been vandalized, arsonised and looted. Among the dead, 70 percent are BNP, 17 percent are Awami League and other parties and individuals of unknown identity.

Violence surrounding the election

Ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections, incidents of clashes, attacks, vandalism and arson centered on nominations of various parties are on the rise. At least 7 people were killed and 1,403 injured in at least 155 election-related violence incidents involving processions, protests, strikes, highway blockades and attacks on homes and offices in the three months from October to December.

In notable incidents, Inquilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi died in Singapore on December 18; he was shot dead in Bijoynagar in the capital on December 12. In addition, Sarwar Hossain alias Babla was killed in Chittagong on November 5 and three others, including a BNP candidate, were injured. A Chhatra Dal activist named Tanjin Ahmed also lost his life in a nomination dispute in Mymensingh-3 constituency.

Mass lynching and mob violence

In the past 17 months, at least 413 incidents of mob violence and mob lynching have killed 259 people and injured 313 others in the country. These incidents included attacks and mob lynchings on ordinary people, political and labor activists, including teenagers, on suspicion of theft, kidnapping and robbery. Horrific incidents have occurred in various places including the capital, Chittagong, Noakhali, Habiganj, Pabna, Narayanganj and Mymensingh.

Notable incidents include the harassment of former Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda on June 22, the killing of two Jamaat workers in Chittagong on March 5, the killing of a mentally challenged youth in Narayanganj on September 7, the killing of a 17-year-old teenager in the capital on November 14, and the beating and burning of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh on December 18. These incidents have become a cause of deep concern for the country.

Journalist torture and murder

In the past 17 months, 834 journalists have been killed, tortured and harassed in at least 427 attacks. Of these, 6 were killed, 379 were injured, 91 were assaulted, 103 were threatened and 33 were arrested. In addition, 222 journalists have been charged in 49 cases. Following the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi on December 18, the offices of Prothom Alo and Daily Star were vandalized and set on fire.

In the past, Md. Asaduzzaman Tuhin, Wahed-uz-Zaman Bulu, Bibhuranjan Sarkar, Mohammad Amin, ASM Hayat Uddin, Swarnamoyi Biswas and Imdadul Haque Milon have died in serious attacks. In addition, journalists Nurul Kabir, Shawkat Mahmud and Anis Alamgir have been arrested and a female journalist has been gang-raped. This incident has become a cause of deep concern for the journalist community in the country.

Interference with freedom of expression

There have been instances of restrictions on freedom of expression in the country under various sections of the Cyber ​​Security Act-2023 and the Cyber ​​Security Ordinance-2025, and on allegations of hurting and insulting religious sentiments. In the last 17 months, 69 people have been charged in at least 41 cases, of which 33 have been arrested by law enforcement agencies. Most of the cases have been filed over posts, comments, photos or videos published on social media.

Many fear the law will be misused because of the vague language of the charges. Critics say writers, online activists and ordinary citizens have been targeted. HRSS warns that the application of these laws could further erode individual freedoms, digital rights and democratic space if the constitutional rights of due process and expression are not respected.

Extrajudicial killing

At least 60 people have been killed in clashes, detentions and torture with law enforcement agencies in the past 17 months. Of these, 6 died in gunfights or clashes, 22 died from torture, 12 in custody and 20 from bullet wounds. Among the dead are 3 women, 4 BNP and 1 Awami League member. In addition, 11 people died after fleeing in fear or falling ill.

Death in custody

At least 127 convicts have died in prisons across the country in the past 17 months. Of these, 44 are prisoners and 83 are detainees. Eight Awami League leaders, Akhter Shikder, Siddique Hossain, Riazul Islam, Imam Hossain, Babul Hossain, Sarwar Hossain Nannu, Yusuf Ali Mia and Ahmed Mostafa Khan Bachchu, have died while undergoing treatment in Khulna, Naogaon, Sunamganj, Comilla, Manikganj, Munshiganj and Sirajganj prisons.

Former Industries Minister and former MP from Narsingdi-4 constituency Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun died in Dhaka on September 29. In addition, Abul Kalam (34) died in Chittagong Central Jail on October 13 and Hallmark Group MD Tanvir Mahmud died while undergoing treatment on November 29. Some families of the deceased have alleged that their deaths may have been the result of a planned murder.

Persecution of religious minorities

In the past 17 months, there have been at least 56 attacks on minority communities, leaving one person dead and 27 injured. During this period, 17 temples, 63 idols and 65 homes were attacked and vandalized. In addition, there have been 6 incidents of land grabbing. Notable incidents include vandalism, looting and arson in Jessore, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Netrokona and Mymensingh.

Among the dead and injured, the killing of SM Tariqul Islam, the attack on Khetur Dham, the attack on the Hindu community's house in Rangpur, the attack on the puja mandap in Netrokona and Mymensingh, and the incident of electric shock and threats in Thakurgaon are notable. In addition, there were incidents of locking up the historical Akhra and land grabbing in Sylhet. These attacks have created deep concerns for the security of minorities and the spread of peace.

Attacks on shrines and Bauls

In the past, there have been incidents of attacks, vandalism and looting on hundreds of shrines across the country. On September 5, the grave, house and Darbar Sharif of Nurul Haque alias 'Nural Pagla' in Goalanda, Rajbari were attacked and his body was taken out of the grave and burned at the Padma intersection on the highway. More than fifty people were injured and one person died. There have been incidents of attacks on multiple shrines and destruction of structures in various villages including Comilla and Kalai.

On November 23, at least 10 people were injured in an attack by the 'Tawhidi Janata' on a protest demanding the release of Baul artist Abul Sarkar in Manikganj. Vandalism, throwing of dung and excrement at ancient and local shrines, and attacks on four shrines have occurred in Mymensingh and Thakurgaon. These attacks have raised deep concerns for the safety of religious and cultural assets and people.

Border killings and security concerns

The report said that 43 Bangladeshis were killed, 49 injured and 186 arrested in at least 110 attacks on the India-Bangladesh border. In addition, 10 people were killed in attacks by Indian nationals in the border area. The BSF has pushed at least 3,509 people into Bangladesh and arrested 143 fishermen from the Bay of Bengal in November.

At least 26 attacks by the Bangladeshi Bangladeshi Army and the Arakan Army on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border have killed 3 people, injured 19, sustained 10 bullet injuries and arrested 250. BGB Naik Akhter Hossain was killed in a mine explosion and Chenuara Begum was injured in Cox's Bazar.

On the other hand, incidents of violence and abuse against women and girls have increased at an alarming rate in the past 17 months. During this period, at least 2,617 women and children have been victims of abuse, of which 1,016 have been raped, 550 of whom are under the age of 18. Gang rape accounted for 23 percent and 33 have been killed, 11 have committed suicide. Out of 504 victims of sexual abuse, 270 are children. At the same time, 965 women have been killed and injured in dowry, domestic violence and acid attacks. The number of child abuse cases is at least 1,802, of whom 478 have lost their lives.

In addition, 349 cases have been filed in 17 months, with 29,772 people directly accused, more than 65,000 unidentified accused, and more than 55,000 arrested. At least 55 programs have been suspended or canceled due to law enforcement intervention in peaceful meetings and rallies, in which 548 people have been injured and 36 have been arrested. 164 people have been killed and 1,448 injured in 531 incidents of worker abuse. Another 258 workers have lost their lives due to accidents, fires, and insecurity. Domestic workers have also been killed and injured due to abuse. These incidents have seriously threatened the rights and safety of women, children, and workers.

HRSS has prepared the Human Rights Monitoring Report for the last 17 months from September 2024 to January 2026, based on news published in 15 national newspapers in Bangladesh and information collected by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

The press conference was also attended by human rights activist Nur Khan Liton, advocate Moniruzzaman, HRSS program officer Md. Saiful Islam, and documentation officer Abdul Qadir.