Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD), an international advocacy organization, has issued a strongly worded petition to Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, urging immediate measures to address the alarming rise in human rights violations against religious and ethnic minorities. The petition, detailed and comprehensive, outlines instances of violence, systemic discrimination, and judicial bias that have marginalized these communities and jeopardized their safety and dignity.
Widespread Violence and Systematic Oppression
The GHRD’s petition describes a deeply concerning trend of violence targeting minority communities since August 2024. Thousands of incidents have been recorded, ranging from mob attacks to hate speech proliferating across social media platforms. Fundamentalist groups have allegedly orchestrated widespread attacks on homes, temples, churches, and business establishments belonging to minority communities. These acts of violence have not only displaced thousands but have also created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
One particularly egregious example highlighted in the petition involves the brutal assault on the Hindu community in Hajari Lane, Chattogram City. Joint forces reportedly launched an attack that left residents helpless and terrified, with little to no state intervention to provide relief or accountability.
The petition further outlines how systematic attempts to silence human rights defenders, activists, and community leaders have led to a narrowing of civic spaces for minority groups. This includes attacks on houses, places of worship, and even offices of civil society organizations advocating for minority rights. Such actions, the GHRD asserts, are part of a broader pattern of oppression designed to weaken minority communities’ ability to organize and defend their rights.
Judiciary Under Scrutiny
The GHRD’s criticism extends to the judiciary, which it accuses of being biased and complicit in perpetuating injustices. The case of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk and prominent social reformer, is a prime example. Arrested on November 25, 2024, Das has been detained under fabricated charges, with his bail repeatedly denied under dubious circumstances. The petition reveals that the judiciary’s actions, including a refusal to hold a required second session to hear his bail plea, indicate external pressures and a lack of judicial independence.
The situation is further exacerbated by targeted attacks on minority lawyers representing activists like Das. Hindu lawyers, including members of the Chattogram Bar Council, have faced harassment, physical assaults, and even threats to their lives, forcing many into hiding. This climate of fear has rendered legal representation for minority detainees nearly impossible, undermining their right to a fair trial.
A Broader Crisis of Governance
According to the petition, the state’s inaction and, in some cases, complicity in these violations reflect a broader failure to uphold constitutional and international human rights obligations. The GHRD points to the government’s failure to protect minority communities from mob violence and its use of the judiciary to suppress dissent as indicative of a systemic crisis.
The petition also highlights how politically motivated cases have been weaponized against minority leaders, secular activists, and human rights defenders. It cites numerous examples, including fabricated charges of sedition and vandalism, to illustrate how these cases are used to silence dissenting voices and weaken advocacy efforts.
Demands for Justice and Reform
In its comprehensive list of demands, GHRD calls for:
Immediate legal representation for Chinmoy Krishna Das and other minority detainees by lawyers of their choosing.
Provision of state-funded legal aid in cases where private representation is not possible.
Protection for lawyers, activists, and human rights defenders facing threats and harassment.
Investigation and dismissal of politically motivated and fabricated cases against minority leaders and activists.
Structural reforms to ensure the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
Accountability for state officials and agencies complicit in violence and discrimination against minorities.
International Legal Frameworks Invoked
The petition references key international legal frameworks, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It underscores how the rights to equality before the law, a fair trial, and effective legal representation, as guaranteed under Articles 14 and 2 of the ICCPR, have been systematically denied to minority communities in Bangladesh. Additionally, the petition highlights violations of Bangladesh’s own constitutional provisions, including Articles 27, 31, and 35, which guarantee equality, protection under the law, and the right to a fair trial.
Urgent Call for Action
The GHRD warns that continued inaction will not only exacerbate tensions but could also lead to irreparable damage to the nation’s social fabric. The organization cautions that failure to address these issues may prompt it to escalate the matter to international bodies, including the United Nations and global human rights forums.
The petition concludes with a powerful reminder of Bangladesh’s foundational principles of secularism, equality, and justice. It urges the interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, to take decisive steps to uphold these values, protect minority communities, and restore public trust in the country’s judicial and governance systems.
A Test of Leadership
As the world watches, Bangladesh faces a critical test of its commitment to human rights and democratic principles. The international community, too, is likely to monitor the situation closely, as calls for accountability and justice for the nation’s minorities grow louder. Whether the interim government will rise to this challenge remains to be seen, but the stakes—for Bangladesh’s social harmony, rule of law, and global reputation—could not be higher.