Background:
Despite 53 years of independence, Bangladesh continues to face severe challenges in ensuring equality, justice, social security, and democratic rights. The first quarter of 2025 saw persistent and new human rights violations amid economic hardship and political unrest.

Key Findings:

1️⃣ Political Violence and Clashes:

• 325 incidents of political violence recorded.

• At least 47 people killed and 2,475 injured.

• Major incidents involved BNP, Awami League, Jamaat, and other parties with clashes around protests, elections, and hartals.

• Political activists’ homes, offices, and properties were attacked or vandalized during these clashes.

2️⃣ Attacks on Journalists:

• At least 67 incidents targeting journalists.

• 91 journalists faced harassment, including:

  • 58 injured

  • 6 physically assaulted

  • 11 threatened

  • 4 arrested

• Cases filed against 24 journalists under Cyber Security Act 2023 and other laws.

3️⃣ Cross-Border Violence:

• 18 incidents at the Bangladesh–India border.

• Actions by BSF led to:

  • 5 Bangladeshi nationals killed

  • 10 injured

  • 15 arrested

• Additional concerns arose along the Myanmar border, including shelling and mine incidents causing civilian injuries and fear among border communities.

4️⃣ Extrajudicial Killings and Custodial Deaths:

• At least 9 deaths related to law enforcement operations:

  • 3 in reported “gunfights”

  • 4 in custodial torture or suspicious conditions

  • 1 from shooting during protests

  • 1 during an anti-drug operation

5️⃣ Violence Against Women and Children:

• At least 512 women and girls faced sexual violence, including:

  • 240 raped (146 under 18)

  • 57 cases of gang rape

  • 3 rape victims murdered

  • 6 committed suicide post-rape

• Domestic violence caused the deaths of 78 women and injuries to many others.

• 399 children faced violence; 83 deaths reported, many due to physical and sexual abuse.

6️⃣ Extrajudicial Executions and Enforced Disappearances:

• Law enforcement operations led to deaths and arbitrary detentions, creating fear and raising concerns about due process violations.

7️⃣ Labor Rights Violations:

• At least 45 workers killed and 294 injured in labor disputes, protests, unsafe working conditions, and industrial accidents.

• Wage-related protests ahead of Eid led to police clashes with garment workers, causing additional injuries.

8️⃣ Arbitrary Arrests and Detentions:

• Over 14,312 political arrests in the first quarter, including:

  • 14,266 BNP activists

  • Several opposition leaders and activists under old and new cases

• Over 12,500 arrests under “Operation Shadow Hunt” targeting various suspects, many of whom were opposition affiliates.

9️⃣ Attacks on Religious Minorities:

• At least 7 attacks on minority communities, including temple vandalism and forced land occupations.

• 2 injured in violence against minority communities during this period.

10️⃣ Mob Lynching:

• At least 70 incidents of mob lynching recorded, leading to 31 deaths and 64 injuries.

Context and Recommendations

The first quarter of 2025 saw continued suppression of dissent, restrictions on freedom of expression, and widespread violations of human rights. The human rights environment in Bangladesh remains deeply concerning, with the persistent use of violence, legal harassment, and extrajudicial measures undermining democratic space and civic freedoms.