259 lynched in 17 months of interim government: HRSS

The human rights situation in the country was worrying during the 17 months of the interim government, the human rights support organization Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has said.

According to the organization, political violence, mob violence, journalist torture, interference with freedom of expression, border killings and a deterioration in the law and order situation have occurred during this period.

This information was presented at a press conference organized at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club on Wednesday (February 4). The report titled ‘Human Rights Situation after the July Uprising and Pre-Election Violence’ was presented by HRSS Executive Director Ijazul Islam.

Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton said at the press conference that mob violence reached such a level that in many cases, state forces failed to effectively control the situation. This has increased public concern about citizen security and social justice.

The report said that from September 2024 to January 2026, at least 195 people were killed and 11,219 injured in 1,411 in incidents of political violence in the country. During the same period, 259 people were killed in 413 incidents of mob violence and mass beatings while 834 people were tortured and harassed, including six people killed in 427 attacks on journalists.

In addition, 60 people died in clashes with law enforcement and torture in custody. A total of 127 accused died in prison while one person was killed and 27 were injured in 56 attacks on minority communities. A total of 43 Bangladeshis were killed in 110 border incidents.

The report also mentioned that 2,617 women and children were victims of torture. Out of these, 1,016 were victims of rape.

HRSS said that this report has been prepared based on information collected from various sources, including 15 national dailies in the country. According to the organization, more effective and visible steps by the state are necessary to improve the human rights situation.