Washington, D.C., March 31, 2026 — President of Bangladesh Awami League and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for urgent global attention to current human rights situation in Bangladesh while urging young people to take a leading role in shaping the country’s future.
Her remarks came at a virtual conference jointly organized by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a Washington-based think tank, and the Voice News, an online news portal.
The event, held at 5 pm (EDT) on Tuesday, brought together policymakers, analysts, and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora. ISD Advisor Sayed Mozammel Ali, ISD President and Editor of the Voice News Dastagir Jahangir, ISD Vice-President and Executive Editor of the Voice News AZM Sajjad Hossain Sabuj, ISD Executive Director and Chief Managing Editor of Voice News Shayla Ahmed Lopa, ISD Director and Advisory Editor of Voice News Shaban Mahmood, among others, spoke at the program.
Youth leadership and historical awareness
In her address, Sheikh Hasina emphasized the critical importance of engaging the younger generation in national development and safeguarding democratic values. She described Bangladeshi youth as “intelligent and thoughtful” and urged them to actively participate in leadership roles.
She stressed the need for historical awareness, particularly regarding recent political unrest among the young generation. “The younger generation must be equipped with factual knowledge of our history, heritage, and the events of 2024 July–August, so they can resist misinformation and build a stronger Bangladesh,” she said during the conference.
Her comments came amid heightened political tensions following the August 2024 transition of power, which led to the establishment of an interim administration under Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Since then, rights organizations have reported widespread unrest, including violence and alleged political reprisals.
Human rights concerns and rule of law
The former PM expressed “profound concern” over what she described as a deteriorating human rights situation. She alleged that Awami League leaders and activists as well ordinary people have been subjected to killing, torture and intimidation since the Yunus- led illegal interim government took power through a deep-rooted conspiracy orchestrated by local and international actors.
Independent human rights groups have reported a sharp rise in violence following the political transition. Ain O Salish Kendra documented at least 318 deaths between August 5–8, 2024, while the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council reported more than 2,000 incidents of violence against minority communities in the weeks that followed.
“These violations must be addressed at the global level,” Sheikh Hasina said, calling on international community to prioritize the protection of women and children. She also demanded accountability for the killing of police personnel, stating that justice is essential to restoring morale within law enforcement agencies.
She further criticized what she described as the collapse of rule of law, pointing to ongoing reports of mob violence and politically motivated attacks.
Criticism of interim administration and judiciary
In a pointed critique of the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the AL President accused the Yunus-led administration of weakening democratic institutions and failing to uphold judicial independence.
“The judicial system has been systematically dismantled and remains unreformed,” she said, urging international bodies to examine the situation closely.
Since the leadership transition, legal experts and observers have raised deep concerns about the politicization of institutions, including reported reshuffles in the civil service and judiciary. Journalists and academics have also been arrested after being implicated in false cases and dismissed from their jobs, according to multiple watchdog organizations.
Call for unity and democratic restoration
In her concluding remarks, Sheikh Hasina called for national unity and collective efforts to restore democratic governance.
“Youth leadership is the driving force for meaningful and lasting change,” she said added all citizens must come together to uphold justice and democracy.
The ISD conference reflects growing international attention to Bangladesh’s political trajectory, particularly as the country approaches a critical period of governance and potential electoral transition.
