The Voice News: Dhaka, Bangladesh —
An online petition gaining momentum accuses Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina on August 8, 2024, of committing severe and widespread human rights violations. The petition, which has already garnered hundreds of verified signatures, details a series of allegations implicating Dr. Yunus in orchestrating state-sanctioned violence and political persecution against supporters of the former ruling party, the Bangladesh Awami League (BAL), as well as student activists, ethnic minorities, and journalists.
Citing mass killings, forced expulsions, wrongful imprisonments, and mob-led violence, the petition paints a grim picture of Bangladesh’s current state, claiming these abuses are “unprecedented in the country’s 54-year history.” Particularly alarming are accusations that Yunus’s government provided immunity to extremist groups, including factions from Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir, allegedly enabling targeted attacks against BAL supporters and pro-liberation forces.
One of the most symbolic acts of violence mentioned is the reported burning of the historic residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at 32 Dhanmondi—a national landmark and the birthplace of Bangladesh’s independence movement.
The petition also expresses deep concern over alleged suppression of press freedom, with multiple journalists reportedly facing job termination, credential revocation, and imprisonment. Additionally, it accuses the interim regime of banning BAL’s activities altogether and dismantling the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), its student wing.
The document outlines three purported objectives behind Yunus’s actions: revenge against political adversaries, consolidation of authoritarian control, and rapid expansion of his business interests. It lists specific examples, such as tax exemptions for his ventures, regulatory favors, and controversial foreign partnerships including a deal with Starlink and the handover of key infrastructure like the Chittagong port terminal to foreign entities.
The petition calls on the international community, especially traditional allies like the United Kingdom, to condemn what it describes as an authoritarian takeover that threatens Bangladesh’s democracy and sovereignty. The appeal urges global actors to demand immediate steps toward a free, fair, and inclusive election that ensures participation from all major political parties, including the sidelined Awami League.
As Bangladesh navigates an increasingly turbulent chapter in its political history, the world watches closely for signs of either diplomatic intervention or further descent into authoritarianism.