Bangladesh’s interim government, under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is increasingly weaponizing the recently amended counterterrorism law to suppress dissent and target alleged supporters of the ousted Awami League government. This alarming trend, as highlighted by Human Rights Watch, calls into question the integrity of a regime that has taken power under the guise of restoring democracy while simultaneously resorting to authoritarian tactics reminiscent of its predecessors.
In August 2024, the interim government was established following the violent overthrow of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, an event that left over 1,400 people dead during three weeks of civil unrest. Rather than working toward reconciliation, the interim authority has opted for repression, instituting a “temporary” ban on the Awami League on May 12, 2025, utilizing draconian amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act that prohibit any meetings, publications, or online expressions supporting the party. This blatant curtailment of political expression has led to the arrest of countless Awami League members and peaceful activists, raising serious concerns about human rights violations in the country.
Meenakshi Ganguly, the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, rightly critiques the interim government’s choice to emulate the very partisan practices that plagued Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina. The ongoing political repression manifests as thousands have been apprehended on dubious charges, with many facing serious mistreatment in custody, including denied access to necessary medical care. Such actions evoke a disturbing familiarity with the abuses that characterized the previous regime, and they signal a concerning trend toward the normalization of political violence in Bangladesh.
The arrests are not limited to political figures; journalists and academics have also faced persecution under the guise of counterterrorism. On August 28, police detained 16 individuals who were merely participating in a discussion organized by Mancha 71, a platform dedicated to commemorating Bangladesh’s independence. Instead of addressing the mob that disrupted the event, the authorities chose to arrest those who sought to engage in civil discourse, demonstrating a clear bias and a commitment to stifling dissent.
The police’s initial justification for detaining these participants—claiming to protect them from perceived threats—quickly morphed into serious allegations under the anti-terrorism law, reflecting a preposterous interpretation of what constitutes terrorism. Witnesses have denied claims of incitement against the interim government, further exposing the government’s desperate attempts to silence any opposition. Such actions only serve to reinforce a growing perception that the interim government is, in fact, no different from the oppressive regime it replaced.
The Anti-Terrorism Act has been a tool of oppression since its inception in 2009, and the recent amendments purportedly were designed to hold Awami League members accountable for their past abuses. However, the implementation of these amendments signals a blatant disregard for international human rights standards, as the right to peaceful assembly and free speech is systematically dismantled. The Bangladesh Editors’ Council has voiced concerns that such amendments threaten freedom of expression and the media landscape, yet the interim government continues to deny any restrictions, showcasing a disconcerting level of denial about its own actions.
Moreover, the interim government has failed to control rising violence from conservative Muslim groups, which have targeted alleged Awami League supporters and opposed women’s rights, resulting in over 150 deaths from mob violence this year alone. A political activist succinctly encapsulated the plight faced by many: in today’s Bangladesh, the choice appears to be between imprisonment as a so-called terrorist or exposure to mob violence. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for a fair and just legal framework in a country that has seen its democratic fabric fray under the pressures of political strife.
The recent memorandum signed between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Bangladeshi government ostensibly aims to promote and protect human rights, yet the interim government’s actions contradict any genuine commitment to these ideals. The UN’s mission in Bangladesh must actively intervene, holding the government accountable for its abuses, and pushing for a political environment conducive to free and fair elections, which are promised for February 2026.
It is imperative for the Bangladeshi government to cease its abuse of counterterrorism legislation as a veil for political repression. The international community must maintain pressure on this interim government to foster an environment where human rights are respected and political discourse can thrive. Only then can Bangladesh hope to emerge from the shadow of violence and oppression, moving toward a future rooted in equality, justice, and true democratic governance.
This article highlights the importance of Bangladesh’s Repressive Maneuvers.
