May 28, 2025 5:34 pm
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
Russia Secures Assad’s Asylum After Rebel Offensive, Kremlin Confirms
U.S. Designates Yemen’s Houthi Group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
Pelosi Believes Rahm Emanuel Will Run for President in 2028
Kashmir Attack: US Urges India to Avoid Broader Conflict
Trump’s Crackdown on DEI Sparks Controversy Among Allies and Critics
Russian Forces Capture British Mercenary in Kursk Region, Reports Say
Related Posts
Trump Promised ‘No Tax on Social Security’—But the GOP Tax Bill Falls Short
Continued Downtrend in Bangladesh Stock Market Sparks Investor Anxiety
Germany’s Chancellor Promises to Support Ukraine in Producing Long-Range Missiles
Trump’s 5-Step Strategy to Keep GOP Control of the House in 2026
Jakarta Emerges as France’s Leading Arms Client in Southeast Asians
Trump’s Fury with Putin Grows Amid Republican Rift Over Ukraine War
More News

Film Industry Braces for Impact of a Second Trump Presidency

As Donald Trump prepares for a potential second term in office, the international film industry is weighing the possible impacts on everything from global trade to U.S. production incentives. One indie industry professional expressed their concerns saying, “When I saw Trump had won, I just wanted to put my head down and weep… but in […]

Pakistan Did ‘Dirty Work’ for West by Supporting Terrorists – Defense Minister Khawaja Asif

Islamabad, April 27, 2025 — In a striking admission, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has acknowledged that Islamabad supported terrorist groups on behalf of Western powers, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, for decades. Speaking in an interview with Sky News released on Friday, Asif candidly stated that Pakistan did “the dirty work” […]

Bangladesh Qualifies for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 After Dramatic Finish

April 19, 2025 – Lahore, Pakistan: Bangladesh has secured its place in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, following a thrilling conclusion to the World Cup Qualifiers. The team edged past West Indies on Net Run Rate, booking their spot alongside hosts Pakistan for the marquee tournament set to be held later this year […]

Tulsi Gabbard Became Head of US National Intelligence, Another Victory for Trump

The US Senate has finalized the nomination of former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. The nomination of Tulsi, who has little experience in intelligence activities, was finalized on Wednesday. Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination is seen as the most controversial nomination of US President Donald Trump. Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination was finalized by a […]

Trump’s Game Begins: Modi’s Rival Trudeau Steps Down—Is Dr. Yunus the Next Target?

The global political landscape is witnessing a new chapter with the rise of Donald Trump as the newly elected President of the United States. The recent resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has added a dramatic twist to international diplomacy. Trudeau, known as one of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s most vocal critics, is […]

Malaysian Court Orders Government to Return Seized Swatch LGBT Watches

A Malaysian court has directed the government to return 172 rainbow-themed watches seized from Swiss watchmaker Swatch last year. The authorities confiscated the watches, citing their “LGBT elements,” as homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, and punishable by up to 20 years in prison. However, the court ruled the seizure was unlawful since […]

Peaceful General Strike by Awami League Held in Bangladesh

In support of the general strike and protests across the country, Awami League activists and supporters have organized torch processions, picketing, and demonstrations, protesting the vandalism of the residence of Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at 32 Dhanmondi, the withdrawal of false charges against Sheikh Hasina and other leaders, and demanding the resignation of the […]

India-Pakistan Conflict Presents Valuable Intelligence Opportunity for China

The ongoing military conflict between India and Pakistan, particularly around the Kashmir region, has opened up a significant intelligence-gathering opportunity for China, as it closely observes Pakistan’s use of Chinese-made weapons against a mutual strategic rival. According to security experts and diplomats, China’s modernized military infrastructure, including its satellite networks and maritime capabilities, allows it […]

Hindus in Trump’s cabinet, Is it indian ample geo-policy conjugating?

Donald Trump taps three vocal Hindu lawmakers for key cabinet roles. “With Indian-origin figures like Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard and Vivek Ramaswamy, Donald Trump’s incoming cabinet is seen as a major win for India.” Donald Trump’s incoming cabinet is being hailed as a major win for India, and here’s why: his 2.0 cabinet features several […]

Arakan Army’s Festival Inside Bandarban Sparks Sovereignty Concerns in Bangladesh

Dhaka, April 21, 2025 — A major controversy has erupted in Bangladesh after members of the Arakan Army (AA), a Myanmar-based ethnic armed group, reportedly entered Bangladeshi territory to organize and celebrate a traditional water festival in the remote hills of Bandarban district. The event, held in the Remakri Mukh area of Thanchi upazila — […]