Painful images of law and order and human rights situation must improve

The picture of the law and order and human rights situation in the country during the tenure of the interim government that took office after the Hasina government was overthrown in a popular uprising is extremely painful.

According to human rights organizations Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) and Odhikar, at least 1,411 incidents of political violence have occurred during the 17 months of this government. In these incidents, 195 people have been killed and 11,229 injured.

During this period, the human rights organizations also said, 45 people have been subjected to extrajudicial killings.

HRSS in its report said that 970 people were injured and five were killed in 162 election violence incidents after the announcements of the schedule for the 13th National Parliament election.

As women’s participation in election campaigns has increased, so have incidents of assault and harassment.

Most of the incidents involve allegations of political opponents. In 13 incidents, 13 candidates were also subjected to harassment or assault.

HRSS further said 2,617 women and girls have been subjected to torture in the last 17 months.

The report said that 251 people were killed and 313 injured in 413 mass beatings during this period.

In 427 incidents, 834 journalists were attacked, tortured or harassed. Of them, six were killed, 379 injured and 33 were arrested.

Human rights organization Odhikar said in its report that 102 people have died in prison in the past year. One of them was beaten to death.

The remaining 101 died of illness. The highest number of deaths, 14 occurred in November last year. During this period, 223 people were sentenced to death.

There have been allegations of torture and extrajudicial killings against members of law enforcement agencies in 2025.

In the past year, 10 people have been killed by the police, one by the army, one by the air force, one person by the RAB, four by the Intelligence Bureau (DB), one by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), two by the Coast Guard, and 13 by the joint forces.

Of the deceased, 11 were tortured, 16 were shot, and six were beaten to death.

With only five days left until the 13th National Parliamentary Election, we hope that the law and order and the human rights situation in the country will improve under the new elected government in the coming days.

We also hope that the people will get back the good governance they have been waiting for.