Bangladesh: Repression, Security Force Abuses Discredit Elections
Bangladesh authorities have come under fire for their suppression of dissent and widespread human rights abuses leading up to the recent general elections, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. The Sheikh Hasina government, which secured a fourth consecutive term, faced criticism for arresting individuals who criticized the government on social media. Widespread repression and violence against opposition members also marred the pre-election period, leading the main opposition parties to boycott the elections due to their lack of faith in a fair polling process.
Human Rights Watch has called for international partners to demand an independent inquiry into the abuses committed by the security forces. The report highlights arbitrary arrests, torture, extortion, and intimidation as some of the methods employed by security forces. These abuses were not limited to the general population but also extended to the over 1 million Rohingya refugees residing in Bangladesh. The refugees, unable to safely return to Myanmar, faced similar acts of repression and violence.
Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the need for accountability and expressed concern over the absence of consequences for serious human rights violations. Ganguly stated, The lack of accountability for serious rights violations is fomenting a corrupt culture where Bangladeshis fear being killed or disappeared by law enforcers for their political views, or even because they fail to pay a bribe.
The World Report 2024 by Human Rights Watch emphasizes the suppression of human rights around the world. It sheds light on the abuses committed by various countries, including Bangladesh. The report’s Executive Director, Tirana Hassan, highlights the significant costs endured by those outside the selective government deals and calls on governments to uphold their human rights obligations.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the main opposition party, faced severe repression in the lead-up to the elections. The ruling Awami League-led government arrested over 8,000 opposition leaders and supporters, aiming to incapacitate the competition and disqualify opposition leaders from participating in the elections. Many individuals were allegedly disappeared during these arrests before reappearing in court after being unlawfully detained for days or weeks.
Bangladeshi human rights monitors have documented the occurrence of over 600 enforced disappearances since 2009, with nearly 100 people still missing. Torture in custody has also witnessed an alarming rise, further exacerbating concerns. However, the number of enforced disappearances decreased after the United States placed the Rapid Action Battalion, an armed law enforcement agency, under sanctions.
Human rights defenders also faced harassment and detention, with Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, members of the Dhaka-based rights group Odhikar, being sentenced to two years in prison for a 2013 report on excessive use of force against protesters. Journalists encountered increasing attacks on their right to free expression, and the Cyber Security Act 2023, introduced to replace the Digital Security Act (DSA), raised concerns among experts.
Bangladesh’s hosting of Rohingya refugees has received international praise, but conditions in the refugee camps have worsened. Coercion and deception marked the government’s push for repatriation to Myanmar, despite the rising violence faced by the refugees. Government restrictions on livelihoods, movement, and education have intensified, creating an environment that encourages refugees to consider returning to Myanmar. The reduction of food rations by the World Food Programme has led to harmful medical and social consequences for the Rohingya population. Additionally, the relocation of 30,000 Rohingya refugees to the isolated silt island Bhasan Char has put them at risk of food and medicine shortages.
The Bangladesh government must address the concerns surrounding the refugee camps, with Meenakshi Ganguly urging international partners to increase funding and calling on the government to provide access to work and education for all refugees.
The reported human rights abuses and acts of repression in Bangladesh raise critical concerns about the country’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of its citizens.
