Democracy, Human Rights: HRW praises progress Urges institutional reform
Staff Reporter :
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has acknowledged the progress made by Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, towards democracy and human rights.
However, HRW cautioned that without deep institutional reforms and sustained international support, these advancements may not endure. This observation was detailed in the World Report 2025: Events of 2024, published on the organisation’s website on Thursday.
Meenakshi Ganguly, Deputy Asia Director at HRW, stated, “Bangladesh’s interim government has taken significant strides toward a democratic and rights-respecting future, but its progress could evaporate without deep institutional reform and international support.”
HRW noted that the interim government has initiated measures such as establishing a commission to investigate enforced disappearances and pledging accountability for rights violations under the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Despite these efforts, the report highlighted ongoing concerns regarding human rights abuses.
During student-led protests in July and August 2024, security forces’ excessive and indiscriminate use of force resulted in over 1,000 deaths and thousands of injuries. Activists have also reported continued abuses by security forces, including arbitrary arrests of opposition supporters and journalists, often denying them due process and access to legal counsel.
While the interim government has acceded to the United Nations Convention on Enforced Disappearances, HRW criticised the failure to release unlawfully detained individuals or provide families with answers about missing persons.
HRW recommended that the interim government undertake comprehensive institutional reforms aligned with international human rights standards.
Specific actions proposed include disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion and reforming security forces to ensure independent oversight and accountability, providing justice for victims of enforced disappearances and their families, allowing human rights monitors unfettered access to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, collaborating with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to register Rohingya refugees and facilitate their access to protection, medical care, and food.
“The interim government must protect Rohingya refugees, support credible investigations and reparations for enforced disappearances, and ensure civilian oversight of security forces,” Ganguly added.
The report criticised Sheikh Hasina’s administration as repressive, highlighting its denial of enforced disappearances and widespread rights violations. In the lead-up to the January 2024 elections, tens of thousands of opposition members were reportedly arrested. The opposition boycotted the elections, which were deemed non-inclusive by the United States, United Kingdom, and the UN.
HRW detailed abuses during Hasina’s tenure, including internet shutdowns, curfews with shoot-on-sight orders, and violence that led to over 1,000 deaths in July and August, including reprisals following her ouster. The report also noted the release of three prominent victims of enforced disappearance – Michael Chakma, Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, and Abdullahil Amaan Azmi-after Hasina’s departure.
Despite the interim government’s commitments to human rights, HRW observed that some patterns of abuse persisted, including arbitrary arrests of Awami League officials and journalists perceived as sympathetic to the previous regime. Additionally, cases have been filed against at least 129 journalists, and nearly 200 press accreditations have been revoked.
HRW highlighted the need for reforms to the International Crimes Tribunal to align it with international standards. While amendments have been invited, the tribunal still lacks certain due process protections and retains the death penalty, which contravenes international human rights law.
The report concludes that while the interim government has demonstrated a commitment to human rights reforms and protecting free speech, the persistence of abusive practices underscores the urgent need for systemic and institutional change. Without such reforms, the progress made risks being undone, regardless of the change in leadership.