Bangladesh Faces Alarming Surge in Human Rights Violations in 2025

In 2025, Bangladesh has witnessed a troubling increase in human rights violations, as reported by Ain O Salish Kendra. The report highlights a surge in mob violence, extrajudicial killings, and attacks on minorities, particularly the Hindu community. With 197 lives lost to mob violence and numerous incidents of political violence, the situation raises serious concerns about the state of human rights in the country. The report also details the harassment faced by journalists and the alarming conditions in prisons. As the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus continues to govern, the ongoing crisis calls for urgent attention and action.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 31, 2025, 13:38 IST

Escalating Human Rights Concerns

Dhaka, Dec 31: A prominent human rights organization in Bangladesh has reported a significant rise in rights violations throughout the nation, including mob violence, extrajudicial killings, deaths in custody, persecution of minorities, political violence, and restrictions on press freedom, according to local media sources.

The latest report from Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), based in Dhaka, indicates that incidents of "mob terrorism" have surged alarmingly in 2025.

Statistics reveal that mob-related violence resulted in 197 fatalities from January to December, a stark increase from 128 deaths the previous year.

Since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took office in 2024, the report notes that at least 293 individuals have lost their lives due to mob violence.

"Individuals have been brutally attacked and killed without any evidence or legal proceedings, fueled by suspicion and rumors. Mobs, operating under the guise of Tawheed Janata, have unlawfully formed to destroy cultural centers, assault the Baul community, and even desecrate graves. Those with opposing views, including freedom fighters, have faced harassment," quoted the rights organization as reported by the Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo.

The report highlights a troubling trend where law enforcement agencies often failed to intervene, and there has been a lack of accountability for the perpetrators.

In 2025, at least 107 individuals died in various prisons across Bangladesh, comprising 69 inmates and 38 prisoners. Dhaka Central Jail recorded the highest number of deaths at 38, followed by Gazipur with 7, while other prisons accounted for the remaining fatalities.

Moreover, the report indicates that 38 individuals were victims of extrajudicial killings in 2025, as monitored by ASK's Information Protection Unit.

These deaths occurred while in custody, often under torture, and were labeled as 'shootouts' or 'gunfights', highlighting a persistent human rights crisis.

ASK documented at least 401 incidents of political violence throughout the year, resulting in 102 deaths and injuring 4,744 individuals.

Additionally, the report revealed that 381 journalists experienced torture and harassment, with 23 targeted by law enforcement and 20 receiving death threats.

Focusing on the plight of minorities, particularly Hindus, ASK reported numerous violent incidents, including intimidation, looting, arson, and idol vandalism from January to December 2025.

This year alone, there were at least 42 attacks against Hindus, leading to the destruction of 33 homes, 36 houses set ablaze, assaults on four temples, vandalism of 64 idols, and nine incidents of land grabbing.

Under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh continues to grapple with escalating human rights violations and ongoing assaults on minority communities, especially the Hindu population.