MSF report: 32 killed, 71 injured in mob violence in May

The Foundation for Human Rights Culture has expressed concern over the country's human rights situation in its analytical report on the human rights situation in April and May 2026. The report said various challenges still exist in establishing the rule of law and protecting citizens' fundamental rights, making the human rights situation fragile.

The report specifically highlighted incidents of mob violence, killings of Bangladeshi citizens at the border, and increasing legal harassment against journalists. According to MSF, these incidents not only indicate human rights violations but also raise concerns for the rule of law and the democratic environment. The organisation believes that extrajudicial social violence, border deaths, and obstacles to freedom of expression negatively impact the overall human rights situation.

According to the MSF report, mob violence increased alarmingly in May. The number of deaths from mob violence rose from 21 in April to 32 in May, with at least 71 injured. This trend of taking the law into one's own hands over suspicions of cow theft, robbery, or personal disputes is seen as a manifestation of a culture of impunity. In particular, the incident on May 30 in Brahmanbaria, where a film screening was obstructed, was cited as an overt example of mob culture.

Bloodstains on the border, fear of 'push-in'
The border situation worsened in May. Violence and deaths increased on both the border with India and the border with Myanmar. A total of 10 people were killed at the border during this period, making the situation more alarming. There were at least 10 incidents of torture and forced 'push-in' along the Indian border, leaving residents in border areas suffering from insecurity.

On the Myanmar border, a landmine explosion killed three Bangladeshis, further highlighting weaknesses in border security and the dangerous situation.

Press freedom and increasing legal harassment
The nature of pressure on the media is changing, the report noted. While direct physical attacks on journalists decreased from 46 in the previous month to 34 in May, incidents of legal harassment increased. In May, 13 journalists suffered legal harassment, up from eight in April. The use of various cases, defamation complaints, and the Cyber Security Act is seen as a means of pressuring journalists.

Political violence, deaths in custody, unidentified bodies
The situation of political violence has not fully improved. In May, 193 people were injured in political violence, down from 303 in April, but the situation remains concerning. Clashes between political parties and internal conflicts within the BNP continue. The number of arrests in various cases filed after the change of government rose from 30 in April to 65 in May.

Recent deaths in police custody have risen from six to seven, raising new questions about the judicial system and prisoner safety. During the same period, 53 unidentified bodies were recovered from rivers, railway lines, fields, and various remote areas, with most remaining unidentified.

Attacks on minorities and ethnic tensions
Incidents of minority attacks decreased in May, with only two reported cases of idol desecration and house vandalism. However, propaganda on social media continues, risking communal tensions. Land disputes and religiously provocative situations in the Alutila area of Khagrachari pose new risks to stability in the hill districts.

Human rights analysts said the overall human rights situation in Bangladesh remains at deep and structural risk. They highlighted extrajudicial killings through mob violence as alarming, while increasing legal pressure on journalists is restricting freedom of expression. Violence at the border is also complicating the situation. Without swift and effective action, the situation could deteriorate further.