In March this year, political and post-election violence across Bangladesh claimed the lives of 18 people, with more than 912 others, including party leaders, activists, and civilians, injured.
The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), a prominent human rights organization, informed the media of the matter through a press release on Saturday.
According to the report, data for March was compiled from 16 national media outlets and HRSS’s own monitoring of human rights violations. The report notes that although the number of political violence incidents decreased compared to February, the death toll has risen. In February, 10 people were killed in 346 incidents of political violence.
In March, HRSS recorded 113 incidents of political violence. Among these, internal conflicts within the BNP accounted for 45 incidents, resulting in at least 501 injuries and 9 deaths. Clashes involving BNP and Jamaat in 16 incidents left 109 people injured and 5 dead. In 22 confrontations between BNP and Awami League, 156 people were injured and 2 were killed.
Additionally, clashes between BNP and NCP in 2 incidents injured 11 people, while confrontations between BNP and other parties in 21 incidents resulted in 39 injuries.
The HRSS report highlights that political violence continues to pose serious threats to public safety, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue and conflict resolution among political parties.
Following the 13th National Parliamentary elections, political violence across the country has left 18 people dead and 96 others injured. Among the fatalities, 13 were members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), 2 were from Jamaat-e-Islami, 2 belonged to hill tract-based political parties, and 1 was an ordinary citizen.
The victims also included one woman and one teenager, highlighting the broad impact of the unrest.
According to reports, the majority of violent incidents were driven by power struggles, political rivalries, post-election clashes, conflicts among supporters of candidates, and attacks on homes, vehicles, businesses, and party offices. Several incidents involved looting, vandalism, and arson.
In targeted attacks against political leaders and activists, 5 BNP members and 1 Awami League member were killed, while 8 others sustained injuries.
Nationwide, at least 28 incidents were reported, stemming from power struggles, territorial disputes, political violence, and extortion. These clashes resulted in damage to at least 130 homes, businesses, and party offices.
Specifically, the post-election period saw 9 violent incidents leading to 109 injuries and 3 deaths. Clashes between BNP and Jamaat supporters accounted for one death and one injury, while other inter-party conflicts resulted in injuries to 2 people.
In March, more than 28 cases were filed in the names of political leaders and activists from various parties, with 303 individuals named as accused and 127 listed as unidentified suspects. During the month, at least 225 political activists were arrested, including a minimum of 110 from the Awami League, 85 from the BNP, 20 from Jamaat, and 8 from the Jatiya Party.
In addition, nearly 1,500 individuals were detained nationwide during special joint operations by law enforcement agencies.
The report highlights concerns over mob violence and public beatings, noting that at least 13 people were killed and 38 others injured in 25 incidents across the country. These incidents involved theft, robbery, snatching, disputes, domination attempts, and religious desecration.
Journalists also faced significant harassment. In March, 59 journalists were subjected to attacks and intimidation in 34 reported incidents. Among them, 33 were injured, 3 faced assault, 12 received threats, and one journalist was detained. Under the Cybersecurity Act, two separate cases were filed against eight journalists.
The report also raised concerns about interference with freedom of expression. Law enforcement agencies directly or indirectly obstructed eight meetings and gatherings, resulting in injuries to more than 81 individuals, including political activists, students, workers, and ordinary bystanders.
Separately, under different sections of the Cybersecurity Act, eight journalists were charged in two separate cases. One individual was detained for criticizing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and two were arrested for allegedly offending religious sentiments. In Patuakhali’s Kalapara area, Md Idris (45) was beaten to death for posting critical comments on facebook against BNP leader Zahirul Islam.
The report expressed concern over extrajudicial killings and deaths in police custody or prisons. At least 12 detainees died in prisons nationwide during the month, including 2 affiliated with the Awami League and its allied organizations, while 10 were ordinary prisoners.
The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has expressed deep concern over escalating incidents of persecution against religious minorities, violence along border areas, workplace abuses, and crimes targeting women and children.
According to the HRSS report for March, minority communities faced 10 separate attacks, resulting in five injuries. Religious sites were also targeted, with three temples, one idol, and three residential homes vandalized.
Violence along border regions was another major concern. Along the India-Bangladesh border, four violent incidents left four people injured, three shot, and one detained. Meanwhile, five incidents along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border resulted in one injury and the detention of 27 individuals.
Workplace abuses continue to pose a serious threat to laborers. The HRSS report documented 77 cases of worker abuse in March, including 19 deaths and 176 injuries. Unsafe working conditions and the lack of protective equipment contributed to 38 fatalities in workplace accidents. The report also highlighted a harrowing case in Banani, Dhaka, where a 15-year-old domestic worker named Pinky was allegedly thrown from the third floor of a multi-story building.
Women and children remain particularly vulnerable. In March, 273 women and girls experienced violence, including 72 cases of rape, 16 of which involved gang rape. Five victims, including three children, were killed following sexual assault, and one victim committed suicide. Additionally, 53 women and girls faced sexual harassment, including 23 children. Family violence persisted, with 51 women killed, 46 injured, and 43 committing suicide. Dowry-related abuse led to three deaths and four injuries.
Child abuse was also a major concern. The report recorded 176 cases in March, resulting in 64 deaths and 112 instances of physical and psychological harm. Hospital mismanagement, ICU shortages, and complications from malnutrition contributed to at least 51 child deaths at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital.
HRSS Executive Director Ijazul Islam stressed the need for a concerted effort to strengthen the rule of law, promote democratic processes, and protect human rights. He called for constructive dialogue among political parties, civil society, journalists, human rights organizations, and informed citizens to foster an inclusive environment that ensures public safety and guarantees the effective protection of fundamental and constitutional rights.
He further warned that unless issues such as recent election-related violence, mob attacks, deaths in custody, political unrest, and restrictions on freedom of expression are addressed, the human rights situation could deteriorate further.