Rights watchdog accuses authorities of targeting public university teachers and students over alleged links to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the banned Awami League, warning of violations of freedom of expression and association.
Many teachers and students at public universities in Bangladesh are being unfairly punished over alleged links to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her now-banned Awami League, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.
The US-based international rights organisation made the allegations in a report released on Wednesday.
“People should not be punished for their peaceful political beliefs. Taking action without due process also violates human rights. Such measures run counter to internationally recognised freedoms of expression and association,” HRW said.
The organisation said the incidents represent a repetition of measures adopted by previous governments to restrict political expression at public universities.
Meenakshi Ganguly, HRW’s deputy Asia director, said Bangladesh’s universities have a long history of political debate and that only authoritarian rulers, not a government formed following a student-led movement, should fear such discussions.
“Bangladesh should move beyond the chapters of repression in its past. A change in the positions of the ruling and opposition parties should not lead to a repetition of previous patterns of repression,” she added.
According to the HRW report, teachers are facing various disciplinary measures, including dismissal, suspension and bans on teaching.
The allegations against them include involvement in violence committed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Awami League government fell in 2024 following a student-led mass movement.
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