Killings, political violence and attacks on minority communities increased in August compared to the previous month, while incidents of violence against women and children also rose, according to the Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF).
The number of people killed in incidents involving women and children jumped nearly 75%, while injuries in political violence surged 181%, the rights organization said in its monthly review of the country’s human rights situation released yesterday.
According to the report, 91 women and children were killed in August, compared to 52 in July.
Violence against women and children also increased from 306 incidents in July to 327 in August, marking a 6.8% rise.
Gang rape cases increased by 72%, while rape and murder cases increased by 67%. Suicide rose by 39%, abduction and disappearance by 8%, and illegal village arbitration by 33%. The number of people detained in drug-related cases increased by 129%.
Political violence surges
MSF expressed particular concern over the sharp rise in political violence in August.
The number of people injured in political violence increased from 95 in July to 267 in August, an increase of 181%. Deaths, however, declined from seven to five.
The incidents involved activists and supporters of the BNP, National Citizens Party (NCP), Jamaat-e-Islami and Awami League, as well as internal and inter-party conflicts, according to the report.
MSF said ensuring the safety of political activists and ordinary citizens and creating an environment conducive to peaceful political activities were increasingly important for restoring democratic governance.
In cases filed following the 2024 anti-discrimination student movement and the fall of the government, the number of accused declined from 600 in July to 240 in August. Arrests in those cases, however, increased from 126 to 205.
Meanwhile, arrests during special drives increased from 5,196 in July to 5,618 in August, with a large proportion linked to drug-related cases.
Minority attacks more than triple
Violence against minority communities also increased sharply in August.
MSF documented 26 incidents involving minorities during the month, compared to eight in July.
The incidents included vandalism of religious idols in Faridpur and Chittagong, attacks on members of minority communities, deaths and threats.
The report also highlighted the gang rape of a teenage girl in Lalmai, Cumilla, and the recovery of the body of a Tripura woman in Khagrachhari. The woman’s family alleged that she had been raped and murdered and called for a proper investigation.
MSF said the incidents underscored the need for stronger state and social initiatives to protect minorities, ensure equal rights and religious freedom, and preserve social harmony.
71 unidentified bodies recovered
The recovery of unidentified bodies was another major concern in August.
A total of 71 unidentified bodies were recovered during the month, compared to 56 in July.
Of them, 55 were men and 14 were women, while the sex and age of two bodies could not be determined.
Most of the bodies were recovered from rivers, ponds, roads, railway tracks, under bridges, crop fields and abandoned locations. Some were reportedly found with their throats slit, inside sacks, with their hands and feet tied, or covered in blood.
MSF called for proper identification, autopsies, determination of causes of death, investigation and timely handover of the bodies to their families.
However, it cautioned that unidentified bodies should not automatically be equated with murder, enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing without proper investigation.
Other rights concerns
Deaths in law enforcement custody declined from two in July to one in August, while deaths in prison custody fell from nine to five.
MSF said the decline was positive in numerical terms but should not be considered evidence of a long-term improvement.
Attacks on journalists increased slightly from 36 in July to 37 in August. Most journalists were attacked while collecting news. One journalist was arrested and another faced a case, according to the report.
Cyber-related cases and arrests declined, although MSF stressed the need to maintain a balance between law enforcement and freedom of expression.
Border-related rights concerns continued, including shootings of Bangladeshi citizens, allegations of torture by the Border Security Force (BSF), arrests, landmine explosions along the Myanmar border and attempts to push Bangladeshi citizens into the country.
Push-in attempts from the Indian border, however, fell from 100 in July to 15 in August.
MSF said the overall human rights situation remained concerning despite declines in some areas.
It called for stronger rule of law, prevention of mob justice and political violence, safeguards against arbitrary arrests, accountability in custody and prisons, protection of journalists and freedom of expression, and greater security for minorities and marginalized communities.
The organization also urged prompt, impartial and effective investigations into serious human rights violations, including cases involving unidentified bodies, and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
