Based on reports published in 12 national media outlets in Bangladesh and data collected by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), the following information has been revealed in the 2024 Human Rights Observation Report.

 

July-August Mass Uprising: 

Regarding the anti-discrimination student-people movement, information gathered from victims' families, eyewitnesses, hospitals, and national newspapers confirms the deaths of 1,013 individuals so far. Furthermore, based on credible data from media, hospitals, and other sources, it is estimated that the death toll is at least 1,200. Among the deceased are students, laborers, journalists, professionals, law enforcement members, children, women, and supporters or activists of various political parties. At least 136 children and 13 girls or women have lost their lives in the movement. The nationwide uprising has resulted in at least 30,000 injuries. Thousands of students and civilians have lost limbs or eyes, with over 600 people losing vision in one or both eyes. There are allegations of enforced disappearances involving at least 13 coordinators and individuals associated with the movement, as well as numerous cases of unlawful detention. 

In connection to the movement, at least 270 journalists were injured, threatened, arrested, or harassed while carrying out their professional duties, and 6 journalists were killed. From July 17 to August 4, over 950 cases were filed nationwide, accusing more than 600,000 people, with at least 12,000 individuals arrested.  Following Sheikh Hasina's departure from the country, more than 500 police stations, outposts, and government infrastructure were attacked, vandalized, or set on fire. Additionally, at least 1,000 houses, vehicles, and businesses were attacked, vandalized, set on fire, or looted. During this period, at least 65 attacks on minority communities were reported, resulting in injuries to at least 61 individuals. Furthermore, 15 temples, 228 homes, and 240 shops or businesses were vandalized, looted, or set on fire. 

 

Election Violence:

 

Election Violence
781	2538
	Injured
Incident
	43
	Killed

 

The 12th National Parliamentary Election and the 6th Upazila Parishad Election in Bangladesh were conducted amidst boycotts by opposition parties and reluctance from citizens to cast their votes. These two crucial elections in Bangladesh's history set records for low voter turnout. Additionally, no unlawful activities were left uncommitted in these elections. 

Alarmingly, in 2024, at least 781 incidents of election-related violence were reported, resulting in the deaths of at least 43 individuals, injuries to at least 2,538, and the vandalism or looting of at least 820 homes and businesses. Among the 43 fatalities, 39 were leaders, activists, or supporters of the Awami League. 

Since the announcement of the 12th National Parliamentary Election schedule on November 15, 2023, nearly every district in the country has witnessed clashes, violence, killings, vandalism, arson, and looting. In at least 752 incidents of election-related violence, 17 people lost their lives, and at least 2,534 were injured. Over 100 individuals suffered gunshot wounds, and more than 450 homes and businesses were vandalized, set on fire, or looted. Additionally, over 100 vehicles were vandalized or set ablaze. In January 2024 alone, 12 individuals were killed, 11 of whom were supporters, leaders, or activists of the then-ruling Awami League. Within six months of the 12th National Parliamentary Election, the phased 6th Upazila Parishad Election saw at least 203 incidents of violence nationwide, resulting in 17 deaths, injuries to at least 1,004 individuals, gunshot wounds to over 20, and vandalism, arson, or looting of more than 350 homes and businesses. 

 

 

       Political Violence:

 

Political Violence
2407
	1180
	Killed
Incidents
	7051
	Injured

 

This year, alarmingly, at least 1,180 people were killed, and at least 37,051 were injured in political violence. Centering on the July-August movement, at least 1,013 people lost their lives, and approximately 30,000 individuals were injured in more than 1000 incidents.  Most other incidents of political violence stemmed from clashes between the Awami League and BNP, as well as internal conflicts within these parties over dominance.

 

Political Case
1383	case filed against
	66095
	Identified
Number of Case
	654809
	Non identified

Additionally, at least 15,520 political leaders, activists, and supporters were arrested by law enforcement agencies, the majority being from BNP-Jamaat and Awami League. Simultaneously, political activists were named in at least 1,383 cases, listing at least 66,000 individuals by name and accusing another approximately 654,000 as unidentified. Moreover, at least 704 opposition meetings and rallies were disrupted by law enforcement and ruling Awami League leaders and activists. Clashes during these events resulted in injuries to at least 30,000 people, and at least 6,000 individuals were arrested in connection with rally-related incidents.

 

Attack on Journalist:

 This year, at least 308 attacks resulted in 726 journalists being killed, tortured, or harassed. Among them, 10 journalists were killed, at least 459 injured, 109 assaulted, 95 threatened, 19 arrested, and 134 faced legal cases. During movements involving students and the public, at least 270 journalists were injured, threatened, arrested, or assaulted while on professional duty, with 6 journalists killed. Alarmingly, under the Cyber Security Act 2023, at least 32 cases were filed, leading to the arrest of 21 individuals and accusations against 79 others.

 

Attack on Minority:

 

At least 112 attacks on minority communities, 5 people were killed, 83 injured, and damage was inflicted on 28 temples, 31 idols, 284 homes, 240 shops, and business establishments. During July uprising, at least 65 attacks on minority communities were reported, resulting in injuries to at least 61 individuals. Furthermore, 15 temples, 228 homes, and 240 shops or businesses were vandalized, looted, or set on fire. 

 

Mob Lynching:

It is concerning that at least 173 people were killed and 88 injured in 201 mob lynching incidents.

 

    Workers’ Rights:

In 609 cases of labor exploitation, at least 439 workers were killed, including 240 by law enforcement gunfire in July uprising, and 595 were injured. Due to unsafe working conditions and the absence of protective equipment, 168 workers died in workplace accidents. In 13 incidents of domestic worker abuse, 9 were killed, and 4 were injured.

 

      Border Violence:

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was involved in at least 57 attacks, resulting in 26 Bangladeshi deaths, 25 injuries, 47 gunshot wounds, and 158 arrests. Additionally, the bodies of 9 Bangladeshis were recovered from the Indian border. Along the Myanmar border, 17 attacks by the Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) and Arakan Army led to the deaths of 6 Bangladeshis, injuries to 25, gunshot wounds to 13, and the arrest of 74 individuals.

 

Extrajudicial Killings:

In 2024, at least 25 extrajudicial killings were reported by law enforcement, including 1 under the guise of "crossfire/shootout," 13 from torture, and 10 from gunfire. One person died in custody. Among killings associated with mass uprisings, at least 510 (76%) deaths occurred due to police violence, and 63 (9%) were attributed to other law enforcement agencies. Over 85% of these deaths were caused by police and other security forces.

 

Prison Death:

In 2024, at least 101 individuals died in prison custody, including 41 convicted prisoner and 60 trial prisoners.

Enforce Disappearance:

According to victims, their families, eyewitnesses, and national daily reports, at least 16 people were forcibly disappeared this year. Of them, 9 were later shown as arrested, 6 were released, and we could trace update of another person.

 

 

Women Rights:

In 2024, at least 558 women and children were victim of rape where 284 were minors (under 18). 226 girl and women were sexually harassed and 48 killed for dowry. 319 killed in family feud and 11 were victims of Acid throwing. 

 

Rape:

In 2024, 1,498 women and girls were subjected to violence. Among them, 558 were raped, with an alarming 284 (51%) being minors. Disturbingly, 130 (23%) were gang-raped, and 40 were killed after being raped, including 22 children. Additionally, 11 rape survivors died by suicide. A total of 322 women and children faced sexual harassment, with 130 being children.

Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence incidents resulted in the deaths of 319 women, injuries to 74, and 127 suicides. Monthly analysis shows at least 9 women killed in every month where the highest killed in June.  

 

Dowry:

Dowry-related violence claimed the lives of 48 women, with 32 physically assaulted and 6 committing suicides.

Child Rights:

It is deeply troubling that at least 4,300 children were subjected to abuse this year, with 662 deaths and 3,714 experiencing physical and psychological harm. The July-August protests led to the deaths of at least 136 children and injuries to at least 3,000 others.