Disturbing reports are emerging from Bangladesh under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, echoing the alleged abuses of the ousted Sheikh Hasina Wazed regime. Since the government took power on August 8, more than 12,000 individuals have reportedly been arrested, facing inhuman detention conditions and prolonged uncertainty as lower courts dismiss or summarily reject bail applications.
One high-profile case involves Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on sedition charges on November 25. A Chittagong court rejected his bail plea for the second time on Thursday, prolonging his imprisonment. According to Das’s legal counsel, this rejection could pave the way for a high court appeal, but the hearing process could take five to six months.
Observers claim that charges of murder and other serious crimes have been routinely brought against politicians, activists, bureaucrats, journalists, and civil society members associated with the Sheikh Hasina regime. A veteran journalist, accused of murder and facing a frozen bank account, suggested that the actual number of arrests may exceed official figures. “Many arrested individuals are charged with murder, often along with hundreds of unnamed accused, creating a system where anyone can later be implicated,” he said.
During Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, human rights groups reported widespread abductions, detentions, and extrajudicial killings, with some victims held in a covert detention center ominously dubbed the “House of Mirrors.” Critics say similar patterns are now resurfacing under Yunus’s administration, raising concerns of systemic abuse.
The detentions have drawn international condemnation. Organizations such as Reporters Without Borders have called for the release of journalists detained on what they describe as fabricated murder charges. Among those detained are Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed, journalists from Ekattor TV, who have been in custody for four months with multiple bail rejections. Lawyers for detainees, fearing intimidation and reprisal, are hesitant to escalate cases to higher courts.
Concerns about prison conditions are also mounting. Reports indicate that the 68 jails in Bangladesh, designed to house 40,000 inmates, now hold over 80,000, leading to overcrowding and poor living conditions. Allegations include denial of basic rights such as adequate medical care, proper nutrition, and weekly phone calls.
A source within the prison department claimed there is an “unwritten order” to make life difficult for detainees perceived as political adversaries. This has reportedly led to ailing prisoners being forced to sleep on cold floors during the winter, and at least eight leaders of the Awami League have died in custody under questionable circumstances.
The situation has prompted calls for international intervention. Barrister Tania Amir urged the United Nations to inspect prison conditions and ensure accountability. A UN team currently in Bangladesh is investigating deaths from anti-Hasina protests, although reports suggest the government is not fully cooperating with their inquiries.
The situation continues to draw scrutiny, with growing pressure on the Yunus administration to address allegations of human rights violations and judicial abuse.