Politically motivated and arbitrary detentions, which had become “entrenched” under the Awami League government, have continued under the interim administration, including the practice of adding hundreds of unnamed individuals as suspects in criminal complaints.
New York-based international human rights organisation, Human Rights Watch (HRW), said this in its “World Report 2026” released on Wednesday.
Hundreds of Awami League leaders, members, and supporters remain in custody as murder suspects, held without trial and routinely denied bail. Those detained include actors, lawyers, singers, and political activists, the report said.
A further set of cases was launched following a clash between Awami League members and student protesters on 8 February, in a campaign called “Operation Devil Hunt,” leading to at least 8,600 arrests, it added.
“Scores more may have been arrested under the draconian Special Powers Act and Anti-Terrorism Act, laws previously used to suppress dissent.”
On 16 July, violence involving security forces and supporters of Hasina’s now-banned Awami League killed five people in Gopalganj, after a rally by the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by students who had participated in the 2024 protests.
“Police later arbitrarily detained hundreds of alleged Awami League supporters and filed 10 murder cases against over 8,400 mostly unnamed individuals. The government denied carrying out “mass arrests.”
The HRW report said, “According to a report by the human rights group Odhikar in October, at least 40 people had been killed by law enforcement since the interim government took charge, including 14 who allegedly died due to torture. Almost 8,000 people had been injured in political violence, and 81 killed.”
Some of the fear and repression that defined former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule, including widespread enforced disappearances, appeared to subside. Yet the interim government carried out arbitrary detentions of thousands of perceived opponents and in May banned the Awami League. On 17 November, International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced Hasina to death for crimes against humanity linked to the attempted suppression of the 2024 mass movement.
The interim administration also faced rising mob violence involving political parties and non-state groups, including religious hardliners opposed to women’s rights. Ain O Salish Kendra reported that at least 124 people were killed in mob attacks between June and August 2025, according to the HRW report.
Stalled reforms
Hasina’s 15-year rule weakened state institutions. After taking office in 2024, the interim government formed commissions to propose reforms in the judiciary, electoral system, police, women’s rights, labor, and the constitution. A Consensus Commission led by Yunus was tasked with finalizing recommendations.
Progress stalled due to political disagreements. On 5 August 2025, Yunus announced the July Declaration, followed by a more detailed July Charter in October. In November, he declared that a referendum on constitutional reforms would be held alongside the election, committing the next government to parts of the Charter.
Freedom of expression and association
In May, the government imposed a “temporary” ban on the Awami League under new Anti-Terrorism Act powers, prohibiting meetings, publications, and online speech supporting the party.
Journalists faced frequent attacks in 2025, often by political party members and mobs. Courts pursued cases against writers accused of “hurting religious sentiment.”
The Cyber Security Act (CSA) continues to restrict free expression, criminalizing dissent and empowering officials to jail critics. In March, the interim government removed nine sections abused under the Awami League, but retained provisions that still fail to meet international standards.
Women’s and girls’ rights
Sexual and gender-based violence remained pervasive, with limited access to justice. Women, despite playing a central role in the 2024 July uprising, were underrepresented in the interim government.
In April, a commission recommended reforms such as criminalising marital rape, granting equal parental rights, revising inheritance laws, and increasing women’s representation in parliament. Soon after, nearly 20,000 Hefazat-e-Islam supporters rallied in Dhaka to oppose the proposals.
Rohingya refugees
Since early 2024, more than 100,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar’s military and Arakan Army abuses, joining over 1 million refugees already in Bangladesh. Authorities continued to push for repatriation in 2025, though safe and voluntary return conditions did not exist. In August, Bangladesh hosted a stakeholders’ dialogue in Cox’s Bazar ahead of the UN General Assembly’s Rohingya conference.
In the camps, Rohingya faced violence from armed groups and gangs, including sexual assault, abductions, forced recruitment, and extortion. Victims reported little access to protection, legal aid, or medical care. Cuts to foreign aid and new arrivals forced closures of health centers and schools, and reduced food and fuel supplies. Aid workers warned of rising disease, malnutrition, trafficking, and gang violence.
Attacks on minorities
On 26-27 July, mobs damaged at least 14 Hindu homes in Rangpur. Reports also documented ongoing abuses in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, including rape and other crimes targeting minority communities.
Economic, social, and cultural rights
The 2024 mass protests reflected anger over inequality. Youth unemployment (ages 15–24, excluding students) exceeded 30 percent, with a sharp gender gap. Inflation eased but remained high, straining low-income households. The World Bank projected slower growth in 2025, raising extreme poverty to 9.3 percent and pushing 3 million more people into poverty.
Garments remained the main growth driver, employing mostly women. In September, a deal between employers and the interim government promised better payment and benefits for some workers, but 90 percent of informal workers would remain unprotected. In January, a garment worker was beaten to death by senior staff over alleged theft.
