The 2025 annual report by the United States federal agency, the Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), highlights the deteriorating situation of religious freedom in Bangladesh. It states that following the July uprising, after the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, attacks on Hindus and their temples have increased, as claimed by their organizations. The report expresses concerns over rising communal violence, vandalism of religious sites, and targeted harassment against religious minorities, particularly Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.
However, Bangladesh’s interim government has rejected this accusation, stating that the information provided by the USCIRF regarding the state of religious freedom in Bangladesh is completely false. The press wing of the Prime Minister’s office has said that there is no substantial evidence to support claims of persecution of minorities after the removal of Sheikh Hasina from power. Officials argue that while isolated incidents may have occurred, they do not reflect a systemic issue and that the government is taking steps to ensure the safety and security of all communities.
The US report mentions that although Bangladesh’s interim government made promises to protect minorities, their situation has worsened, with reports of forced conversions, land grabbing, and intimidation by extremist groups. Human rights organizations have documented cases where religious minorities have been denied justice due to inaction or bias in law enforcement agencies. International watchdog groups have called for increased monitoring of the situation in Bangladesh to ensure that religious freedom is upheld and protected.
The hopeful aspect for Bangladesh is that, despite the concerns raised in the US report about the persecution of minorities, Bangladesh was not included in the list of “countries of particular concern” or “countries under special surveillance,” for which recommendations for sanctions, visa restrictions, or aid suspension were made.
Countries on the “particular concern” list include China, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Cuba, Eritrea, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. These nations have been accused of widespread and systemic religious persecution, leading to potential diplomatic and economic consequences.
On the other hand, the report lists countries where the US should pay special attention due to minority persecution, including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Turkey. While not on the highest level of concern, these countries face increasing religious intolerance and sectarian violence that could escalate without proper interventions.
The US report suggests strong actions, such as sanctions, visa restrictions, and aid suspension, to address minority persecution in countries like India, Pakistan, and Myanmar, which are on the main concern list. It also recommends imposing sanctions on India’s intelligence agency, RAW, and Vikas Yadav, for alleged support of persecution of minorities. Similarly, similar advice has been given for Pakistani government officials.
The USCIRF has urged the Bangladeshi government to implement stricter measures to protect minority communities, prosecute those responsible for religious violence, and strengthen laws that promote religious tolerance. Additionally, international human rights organizations have recommended increased diplomatic pressure from global institutions, such as the United Nations and the European Union, to ensure religious freedom is upheld in Bangladesh and across South Asia.
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