An updated report documents the alarming overview of human rights violations, political oppression, and national instability occurring under the current unelected interim government of Bangladesh. Published by the Global Center for Democratic Governance (GCDG), the publication highlights the systematic abuse of power, suppression of democratic rights, and complete erosion of the rule of law across the country.
Key findings
As stated in the report:
- Custodial Deaths and Mob Lynching: At least 637 individuals killed in mob lynching incidents, 47 subjected to extrajudicial killings in law enforcement custody, and 21 political detainees affiliated with the Awami League died in prison custody.
- Targeted Political Violence: 205 leaders and activists of the Awami League murdered, at least 359,789 people arrested (majority being members and supporters between August 2024 and May 2025), and 116 Members of Parliament (including 14 women) illegally detained.
- Attacks on State Institutions and Symbols: The Bangabandhu Museum demolished using bulldozers, and 80 shrines demolished between August 2024 and May 2025.
- Violence Against Law Enforcement: 44 police officers killed, 182 police personnel missing, and over 500 police stations attacked, vandalized, robbed of firearms, and set on fire.
- Deteriorating Social Conditions: Dramatic increases in child abuse (259 children murdered, 640 abused between January and June 2025) and 12,726 cases of violence against women alongside 4,105 rape cases reported between September 2024 and June 2025.
- Minority Persecution: 27 minority people killed, 20 minority women raped, 17 churches set on fire on Christmas Day 2024, 103 human rights violations documented in Chattogram Hill Tracts, 396 LGBTQI+ individuals harassed or victimized, and 2,442 confirmed incidents of minority persecution.
- Suppression of Democratic Processes: Misinterpretation of Article 106 of the Constitution, banning of the Awami League by ordinance, and suspension of its registration by the Election Commission.
- Religious Extremism and Legal Manipulation: Rise in religious extremism under government patronage and more than 300 militant suspects granted bail despite serious charges.
- Media Censorship and Journalist Persecution: Severe censorship across platforms, 184 journalists’ accreditation cards revoked, 266 journalists implicated in fabricated murder cases, and 14 journalists arrested on false charges.
- Civil Rights and Public Freedoms Violated: Personal freedoms under attack, including harassment of female activists and arbitrary arrests of ordinary citizens.
- Corruption at the Highest Level: Expansion of wealth and business empires by top figures, waiver of fines, tax exemptions for Grameen Bank, reduction of government ownership, and approval of digital wallets, manpower export licenses, universities, and Starlink partnerships.
Conclusion and recommendations
The report concludes that an unelected and constitutionally illegitimate government remains in power, leading to the collapse of the rule of law, erosion of civil liberties, weakened economy, and a prevailing climate of fear nationwide. It recommends the restoration of civil rights, independent judiciary, impartial investigations into all human rights violations, and immediate, free, fair, and participatory national elections under a neutral caretaker government.
Read the Full Report
Read the complete report below, open it in a new tab, or download the PDF for offline reading.
Report details
- Title: One Year of Anarchy: Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh Under the Interim Government
- Prepared and published by: Global Center for Democratic Governance (GCDG)
The findings, allegations and opinions in this report are those of its publisher.
About the Author
