Human rights violations remained widespread across Bangladesh in the 17 months following the July 2024 Mass Uprising, with political violence, mob attacks and election-related clashes leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured, according to two reports released by Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).
Based on monitoring of national and local media reports and its own documentation, the human rights organisation said that the post-uprising period up to January 2026 was marked by a sharp rise in political violence, mob lynching, attacks on journalists and restrictions on freedom of expression, alongside growing concerns ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.
In its annual human rights report covering September 2024 to January 2026, HRSS said at least 195 people were killed and 11,229 injured in 1,411 incidents of political violence linked to party dominance, political rivalry, rallies, committee disputes, extortion and occupation of establishments.
Among those killed were 134 BNP activists, 26 Awami League members, five Jamaat activists, and others from different political groups, while 19 victims’ political identities could not be determined.
The report also documented 216 incidents of election-related violence during the period, in which seven people were killed and 1,403 injured, as the country heads towards the 13th parliamentary election.
HRSS said that five amongst the seven were killed after the election schedule was announced and reported more than 970 injured in 162 incidents of election-related violence after schedule announcement till 31 January 2026.
The fatalities included three BNP activists, one Jamaat activist and one Inqilab Moncho supporter, the report said.
HRSS also reported 12 incidents of harassment and attacks against women during election campaigning, in which 18 women were harassed and six injured, mostly involving supporters of Jamaat and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
HRSS further said that following the July Uprising and the departure of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from the country, at least 349 cases were filed against her and leaders and activists of the Awami League and other parties.
These cases named 29,772 individuals, while more than 65,000 people were made accused as unidentified suspects.
More than 55,000 people were arrested in various cases and joint force operations, most of them linked to Awami League, Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League and the banned Chhatra League, the report said.
Police also arrested at least 51 members of banned outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir over the past year.
Raising concern over mob violence, HRSS said 259 people were killed and 313 injured in 413 incidents of mob attacks and lynching across the country over allegations including theft, robbery, disputes, dominance and religious offence.
The organisation also documented 427 attacks on journalists, in which 834 journalists were subject to violence. Among them, six were killed, 379 injured, 91 assaulted, 103 threatened and 33 arrested, while 222 journalists were accused in 49 cases.
According to HRSS, freedom of expression was also curtailed through legal and administrative measures.
Under the Cyber Security Act 2023 and Cyber Protection Ordinance 2025, 41 cases were filed, leading to the arrest of 33 people, while 69 others were accused. Law enforcers also obstructed 55 meetings and rallies, leaving 548 injured and 36 arrested.
The findings were presented at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Wednesday.
