The U.S. Department of State’s 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices paints a grim picture of Bangladesh’s political crisis, mass protests, and widespread rights abuses under the former Awami League government, followed by notable shifts under an interim administration.
The report says weeks of student-led demonstrations in mid-2024 left hundreds dead before former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled on August 5. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in three days later as “Chief Adviser” of an interim government, which the report notes has improved the overall human rights climate despite lingering concerns.
Human rights groups documented extraordinarily high casualties during clashes between protesters, police, and the former ruling party youth activists.
One organisation reported at least 986 deaths in under two months, while another alleged 1,423 were killed and 22,000 injured, most of them young and unarmed. Verified footage showed security forces and Bangladesh Chhatra League members firing live rounds at demonstrators.
The State Department says the previous government was responsible for arbitrary killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and the suppression of free expression.
Journalists, activists, and opposition members were frequently harassed, arrested, or attacked, with more than 5,800 cybercrime cases pending by August– many against critics. The interim government has since pledged to drop over 1,000 “speech-based” cases and release detainees.
The report also cites systemic labour rights violations, unsafe work conditions, and widespread child marriage.
It highlights the ongoing plight of over one million Rohingya refugees and accuses the former government of transnational repression against exiled dissidents.
While acknowledging some improvements since August last year, the U.S. report said that structural problems and the legacy of impunity for past abuses remain serious challenges for Bangladesh.
