May 8, 2025 1:39 am
Full News

Bangladesh: Rising Concerns Over Extrajudicial Killings, Mob Lynching, and Political Violence

Deepanwita Martin

Human Rights Reports Highlight Persistent Violations and Calls for Reform.

Eight Extrajudicial Killings in September

Human rights organization Odhikar has reported eight incidents of extrajudicial killings by Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies in September 2024. These killings include cases of torture and shootings carried out by police and joint forces. The organization also reported that during the same month, 17 individuals died from mob lynching and 18 were killed in political violence, painting a bleak picture of human rights in the country.

Adding to this, the Law and Arbitration Center, another human rights group, documented three extrajudicial killings in October. Together, the two organizations reported a total of 11 such deaths over the last two months.

Although no extrajudicial killings were recorded in August, Odhikar noted a troubling rise in other forms of violence. In August, 14 people were killed in mob lynching incidents, while political violence claimed 34 lives. Combined data for August and September shows 31 deaths from mob lynching and 52 from political violence.

A Grim Historical Context

The quarterly report by Odhikar divides 2024 into three phases:

            •           January 1 to August 5: The period under the Awami League government.

            •           August 6 to 8: A brief, government-less transition period.

            •           August 9 to September 30: The interim government’s tenure.

Surge in Extrajudicial Killings Reported from July to August 5

The period from July to August 5, 2024, has been identified as a peak time for extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh, with a staggering 1,581 incidents reported. However, this data, highlighted in Odhikar’s quarterly report, was not gathered through the organization’s direct investigations. Instead, it was compiled from information provided by students associated with the anti-discrimination movement and the National Citizen Committee.

Odhikar acknowledged that it is still in the process of independently verifying and compiling its own findings on these incidents. This distinction is critical, as the staggering figure raises significant concerns about the scale of violence while also underscoring the need for transparent and reliable data collection.

Adilur Rahman Khan, founder of Odhikar and current advisor to the interim government, commented on the ongoing investigations, stating, “Such a high number indicates the gravity of the situation, but thorough and independent verification is essential to ensure accountability.”

This period, covering the final months of the Awami League government’s tenure, has drawn significant scrutiny from human rights organizations. Observers argue that a combination of political unrest and unaccountable law enforcement actions may have contributed to the spike. However, until Odhikar releases its detailed findings, the exact nature and circumstances of these incidents remain unclear.

The preliminary data underscores the pressing need for reform in policing and governance, as well as greater accountability to address the continued violation of human rights in Bangladesh.

Mob Lynching: A Growing Crisis

Mob lynching continues to be a severe issue in Bangladesh. According to Odhikar, 95 individuals were killed in such incidents this year, including 35 in the first five days of August alone. In September, 17 more people died due to mob lynching, with 14 additional deaths recorded during August’s remaining weeks.

Adilur Rahman Khan, the founder of Odhikar and now an advisor to the interim government, highlighted how declining trust in the judiciary has led to a rise in mob justice. “During the previous government’s tenure, impunity was so prevalent that people lost faith in the judicial system, leading to mob violence,” he explained.

Political Violence Claims Hundreds of Lives

Political violence has claimed 254 lives so far in 2024. The highest number of deaths occurred between August 1 and 5, with 93 fatalities reported during this period of political unrest. During the brief government-less phase (August 6-8), four more people were killed. After the interim government assumed power, 52 people died from political violence by the end of September.

The year has also seen monthly fluctuations in politically motivated deaths, ranging from 22 in January to 20 in June, with significant spikes in August and September.

Enforced Disappearances Add to the Woes

Enforced disappearances remain another dark chapter in Bangladesh’s human rights record. This year alone, 20 individuals were reported missing, with the highest number (10) occurring in July. Among the victims, four individuals and a journalist were killed by police gunfire in July and August.

Victims of Law Enforcement in September

In September, eight people reportedly lost their lives due to law enforcement actions:

            •           Three were tortured by joint forces.

            •           One died under the Narcotics Control Department’s custody.

            •           One was tortured by police.

            •           Three were shot by joint forces.

Authorities’ Response and Human Rights Advocates’ Criticism

Law enforcement officials denied allegations of extrajudicial killings. AIG (Media) Inamul Haque Sagar of the Bangladesh Police Headquarters said, “The police do not support extrajudicial killings, and there are legal mechanisms to address complaints. I have not reviewed Odhikar’s report, so I cannot comment on it specifically.”

Human rights activist Noor Khan criticized the government’s inaction in addressing these violations, saying, “Extrajudicial killings, mob lynching, and even robberies are ongoing. The government has failed to communicate the necessary messages to society.” He also reiterated his call to disband the controversial Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which has faced numerous allegations of rights abuses.

Hope for Reform Amid Persistent Challenges

Adilur Rahman Khan expressed cautious optimism, noting that reforms in the police and judiciary are underway. “We want these incidents to reduce to zero. While extrajudicial killings disguised as crossfire have declined, cases of police custody torture remain concerning,” he said.

Noor Khan emphasized the importance of swift investigations and timely justice to restore public trust. He added, “If enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are addressed transparently and promptly, it will send a strong message and pave the way for accountability.”

A National Call for Justice and Reform

These reports underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms to address human rights abuses in Bangladesh. With public trust in institutions at an all-time low and violence remaining rampant, civil society and human rights organizations are calling for immediate measures to ensure justice, accountability, and safety for all citizens.

Sud Editor, The Voice News.

Related News
India Extends Sheikh Hasina’s Visa
Police Attacks on Ethnic Minority Protest in Dhaka Over Textbook Controversy
Germany Faces Economic Crisis, GDP Declines for Three Consecutive Years
Official Portraits of Donald Trump and JD Vance Released Ahead of Inauguration
US Withdraws Bounty on Taliban Leader
US Envoy Sets “Red Line” for Iran Ahead of Nuclear Agreement Talks
Related Posts
Russia Says 60,000 Passengers Stranded After Massive Ukrainian Drone Attack
Chief Justice Roberts Defends Judiciary Amid Trump’s Impeachment Threats
What We Know About Pakistan’s Claim of Shooting Down 5 Indian Fighter Jets
US and UK to Announce Trade Deal on Thursday
Soviet-Era Spacecraft Cosmos 482 Expected to Reenter Earth’s Atmosphere After Over 50 Years
Quad Concludes Simulation Exercise to Advance Indo-Pacific Logistics Network
More News

Jurassic World Rebirth Launches a New Dino Era in 2025

“Jurassic World Rebirth,” directed by Gareth Edwards, is set to rejuvenate the franchise by introducing new characters and a fresh storyline. Scheduled for release on July 2, 2025, the film is set five years after “Jurassic World Dominion” and features a special-ops team on a mission to retrieve valuable dinosaur DNA from a secluded, dinosaur-populated […]

Rain Forecast for Fire-Ravaged Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, has been grappling with devastating wildfires for over two weeks, leaving thousands of homes, vehicles, and infrastructure destroyed. Finally, there is a forecast of rain in the region. According to the U.S. National Weather Service, rain and, in some areas, snowfall are expected from Saturday through Monday. While the rain is anticipated […]

High-profile supporters of Donald Trump

As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, celebrity endorsements are emerging as a powerful influence, shaping public opinion and driving voter mobilisation like never before. According to recent Harvard University research, ‘celebrity voices are incredibly powerful’ in shifting voter sentiments and influencing polling numbers. The 2024 presidential race between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democrat […]

Clueless the Musical: First Look at the Cast in Action!

It’s been 30 years since we first met Cher Horowitz in her iconic yellow plaid ensemble, and now Clueless is hitting the West End in a brand-new musical adaptation. We have an exclusive first look at the cast in action, and it’s everything we hoped for – from the ’90s looks to the energetic performances! […]

Trump Designates Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating Yemen’s Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization”. He signed the order on Wednesday. The Houthis are primarily Iranian-backed armed groups. Yemen’s northwestern region is under Houthi control. The Houthis frequently attack US vessels in the region’s waters. Signing the executive order, Trump said yesterday that […]

Tricky promises by new leader’s will keep Sri Lanka crisis-hit

Huge election wins by a new left-leaning president and his party have changed Sri Lanka’s political landscape – but the cash-strapped island’s new rulers are quickly realising that campaign promises are easier to make than to keep.Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s remarkable victory in the presidential election in September was swiftly followed by a landslide for his […]

Why Digital Twins Could Revolutionize Drug Discovery

This is the first in a six-part series exploring how AI is transforming medical research and treatment. In front of me is a heart that beats and moves like a human organ—but it isn’t real. There’s no blood flowing through it, nor is it housed in a human body. This is a digital twin: a […]

Kate Phillips Confirms No Return for Peaky Blinders Movie

Peaky Blinders star Kate Phillips has confirmed that she won’t be reprising her role in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie, despite earlier discussions about her return. The highly anticipated Netflix film, titled The Immortal Man, will follow the events of the show’s season six finale and focus on the Shelby family during World War II. […]

Houthis Attack Another U.S. Ship

Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen have launched another attack on a U.S. ship. The attack took place on Monday (March 17) local time. This marks the second attack on a U.S. vessel within 24 hours, according to AFP. A spokesperson for the Houthis stated that, within 24 hours, Houthi fighters targeted the U.S. aircraft carrier […]

Australia to Tax Big Tech Firms Over News Revenue Disputes

The Australian government has unveiled plans to impose taxes on major tech companies, such as Meta and Google, if they fail to compensate local news media for content that drives traffic to their platforms. This move, effective from January 1, targets firms earning over 250 million Australian dollars ($160 million) in Australia annually.Communications Minister Michelle […]