The human rights situation in Bangladesh remained alarming throughout May 2026, marked by political violence, mob lynchings, harassment of journalists, and violations against women and children, according to a report by Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).
The monitoring report, released on Friday, revealed that at least five individuals were killed and 289 others injured in 64 incidents of political violence during the month.
Simultaneously, mob violence and mass beatings resulted in 31 deaths and 68 injuries across 66 recorded incidents.
Political and media hostility
The HRSS report, compiled from data from 16 national dailies and the organisation’s own findings, noted that most political clashes stemmed from internal feuds, efforts to establish supremacy, and extortion.
Of the 64 incidents, 18 involved internal conflicts within the BNP, leaving 114 injured.
BNP-Jamaat clashes resulted in one death and 49 injuries, while BNP-Awami League confrontations led to two deaths and 72 injuries.
The report also highlighted an increase in attacks on journalists, with 78 media professionals victimised in 39 incidents.
Among them, 42 were injured, 18 assaulted, and nine threatened. One journalist was detained, and eight others were named in two separate legal cases.
Violence against women and children
The HRSS described the situation for women and children as “extremely alarming”. In May, 305 women and girls faced various forms of abuse.
Out of 83 rape victims, 57 were under the age of 18. The report documented 17 cases of gang rape and six instances where victims were murdered following the assault.
Additionally, domestic violence claimed the lives of 63 women, while 45 others committed suicide.
The report further stated that at least 215 children suffered abuse, with 56 losing their lives.
It also brought attention to a health crisis, noting that over 600 children have died nationwide from measles-like symptoms over the past three months due to limitations in treatment and vaccination management.
Freedom of expression and assembly
Interference with freedom of expression escalated in May, with at least 11 incidents resulting in six detentions and seven cases filed against 12 individuals.
These actions were primarily linked to political criticism and opinions shared on social media.
The HRSS also recorded 10 instances where law enforcement and ruling party activists disrupted public meetings and assemblies, leaving 41 people injured.
Border and minority rights
The border situation remained a point of concern, with four people killed and 20 injured by Indian border guards in six separate incidents.
Additionally, 14 individuals were detained, and 166 were “pushed in” to Bangladesh. On the Myanmar border, landmine explosions killed three people and injured one.
Religious and minority communities were also targeted; three incidents of attacks left five people injured, while six houses were vandalised and one instance of land grabbing was recorded. Attacks on Mazars (shrines) in various locations, including Dhaka, were also documented.
Labour rights and custodial deaths
The labour sector saw 20 deaths and 130 injuries across 57 incidents of worker abuse. About 41 labourers died in workplace accidents attributed to insecure and unhealthy environments. The report also noted seven deaths in prison custody during the month.
In total, 23 cases were filed regarding various violent and political incidents, and at least 242 people were arrested in 212 separate operations.
In conclusion, HRSS emphasised the need for coordinated efforts across all levels of the state and society to establish the rule of law, strengthen democratic processes, and protect human rights.
The organisation called for impartial investigations into every violation, the assurance of accountability, and effective measures to safeguard civil liberties.
