Dhaka, 1 January 2026 – Bangladesh witnessed a concerning deterioration in its overall human rights situation in 2025, despite political transition and reform pledges by the interim government, according to a year-end report released by human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK). In its annual review, ASK notes that while 2025 was a politically significant year marked by the fall of an authoritarian government, formation of an interim administration, and promises of democratic transition, tangible improvements in citizens’ rights and freedoms remained largely absent.
Mob Violence and Extrajudicial Killings on the Rise: One of the most alarming trends identified in the report is the sharp increase in mob violence. ASK recorded at least 197 deaths due to mob lynching between January and December 2025, up from 128 in 2024. Victims included members of religious minorities, women, and marginalized groups, often killed on the basis of rumor or suspicion without due process. The report also highlights the continued practice of extrajudicial killings under labels such as “crossfire” or “gunfight.” At least 38 people were killed in law-enforcement custody or operations in 2025, underscoring what ASK describes as a persistent culture of impunity within security forces.
Custodial Deaths and Prison Conditions Raise Serious Concerns: Custodial deaths emerged as another major concern. ASK documented at least 107 deaths in prisons across the country in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. Many detainees reportedly died due to lack of timely medical care, raising questions about state responsibility and compliance with constitutional and international human rights standards.
Freedom of Expression Under Threat: The report identifies 2025 as a particularly dark year for freedom of expression and media independence. A coordinated attack on the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo on 18 December is described as one of the most serious assaults on press freedom in Bangladesh’s history. Journalists faced intimidation, physical insecurity, and operational shutdowns, with ASK warning that such incidents have created a climate of fear in the media sector. ASK further notes continued misuse of restrictive laws to harass critics, journalists, and opposition voices, narrowing the space for dissent despite constitutional guarantees of free speech.
Women, Minorities, and Political Rights: Violence against women, including rape, gang rape, online harassment, and so-called “moral policing,” remained widespread throughout the year. The report also records increased hostility against religious minorities and cultural institutions, reflecting growing intolerance and radicalization in parts of society. Politically, ASK raises serious concern over decisions that effectively curtailed political participation, warning that suspension of party activities and excessive use of executive orders contradict constitutional protections and undermine democratic pluralism.
Reform Promises Without Clear Roadmap: While acknowledging steps taken by the interim government such as forming reform commissions and ratifying international conventions ASK points out the absence of a clear implementation roadmap. The organization concludes that without accountability, institutional reform, and respect for the rule of law, structural human rights violations are likely to persist.
Call for Accountability: ASK urges the government to ensure impartial investigations into human rights abuses, hold perpetrators accountable regardless of affiliation, protect freedom of expression, and place human dignity at the center of the democratic transition process.