Bangladesh is facing renewed international scrutiny over the safety of its religious and ethnic minorities after several human rights organizations reported a significant rise in violence targeting Hindus, Christians, indigenous groups, and religious converts following the country’s February 2026 national election.
According to reports published by Christian advocacy organizations and international rights groups, minority communities across the country have experienced a surge in physical attacks, intimidation, sexual violence, vandalism of religious sites, land grabbing, and other forms of persecution in the months following the election.
The concerns have been amplified by findings released by the France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France, commonly known as JMBF, and by advocacy group Open Doors UK and Ireland, which monitors the condition of persecuted Christians worldwide.
According to a report published by Open Doors UK and Ireland, Bangladesh’s religious minorities have faced growing insecurity since the political upheaval that followed the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power in 2024. The organization noted that a political vacuum and deteriorating security conditions have created opportunities for extremist groups and local actors to target vulnerable communities.
A separate report published by Christian Today stated that Christians in Bangladesh continue to live in fear following the February election. The report cited testimony from community leaders who claimed that attacks have become more frequent, particularly in areas where Islamist groups maintain strong influence.
Reports of attacks against Christians and Hindus
According to Christian advocacy groups, Christians who converted from Islam remain among the most vulnerable populations. Converts often face pressure from families and communities and are at heightened risk of harassment and violence.
One incident cited in recent reports involved a Catholic priest who was assaulted and robbed in Dhaka, where attackers reportedly stole his passport and approximately £1,000 in cash. Community leaders have described the attack as part of a broader pattern of insecurity affecting minority religious figures.
Open Doors has previously warned that Christians in Bangladesh, particularly those from indigenous backgrounds or Muslim-convert communities, face increasing threats from both extremist groups and local social pressures. Its 2026 World Watch List dossier noted that tribal Christians often face “double vulnerability” as members of both ethnic and religious minorities and frequently encounter land disputes, discrimination, and violence.
In March, Hindu and Christian leaders organized demonstrations in Dhaka demanding stronger government action to protect minorities and ensure equal rights under the law. Protest organizers called on authorities to prevent communal violence and bring perpetrators to justice.
Rights groups document hundreds of incidents
The most detailed assessment came from JMBF, which cited documentation compiled by the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities.
According to the report, 505 incidents involving religious and ethnic minorities were documented between January and April 2026 across 62 districts covering all eight divisions of Bangladesh. The incidents reportedly included killings, suspicious deaths, assaults, kidnappings, sexual violence, attacks on temples and religious institutions, arson, looting, land grabbing, intimidation, and blasphemy-related persecution.
The report further documented 95 incidents involving attacks on temples, religious statues, and other places of worship across 43 districts. Rights advocates described these incidents as direct assaults on religious freedom and cultural identity.
In addition, 28 incidents of sexual violence were reported across 23 districts, including allegations of rape and gang rape targeting minority women and girls. The report argued that such violence is often used as a tool of intimidation against marginalized communities.
The organization also documented six blasphemy-related incidents and warned that accusations involving religious sentiments continue to be used to intimidate minority populations.
Human rights groups issue warning
In a statement released from Paris on May 25, JMBF founder and president Shahanur Islam warned that the situation was worsening.
“These widespread and coordinated violations reflect a dangerous climate of intolerance, discrimination, and institutional failure that threatens the fundamental principles of human rights, equality, secularism, and the rule of law in Bangladesh,” Islam said in the statement issued by JMBF. “The situation is deteriorating day by day.”
JMBF called on the Bangladeshi government to establish an independent judicial commission to investigate all reported incidents and ensure accountability regardless of political affiliation. The organization also urged authorities to provide compensation, rehabilitation, and security guarantees for affected communities.
The group further advocated for the enactment of a Minority Protection Act and the creation of an independent Minority Commission to oversee the protection of religious and ethnic minorities nationwide.
Political backdrop
The reports emerge amid a deeply polarized political environment in Bangladesh following the political transition that began with the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. The February 2026 election, held after a prolonged period of political unrest, resulted in a victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, while the Bangladesh Awami League was barred from participating.
Human rights organizations and international observers have repeatedly expressed concern that political instability, weakened law enforcement, and growing religious polarization have increased the vulnerability of minority communities. Several advocacy groups have argued that attacks on minorities often intensify during periods of political transition and electoral uncertainty. (Open Doors UK & Ireland)
While Bangladeshi authorities have maintained that law enforcement agencies are responding to criminal incidents, rights groups continue to urge stronger action, arguing that many victims remain reluctant to seek justice because of fear, social pressure, or concerns about impunity.
As international attention focuses increasingly on Bangladesh’s human rights record, minority rights advocates say the government’s response in the coming months will be closely watched by domestic and international observers alike.
