Why human rights violations continuing under interim govt

One of the main reasons behind the public anger that led to the fall of the Awami League government was its record of human rights violations. After the mass uprising, when the interim government was formed, we hoped that human rights would finally be established in society and the state. We expected a society built on equality, human dignity and social justice. But it is deeply regrettable that, according to a report from a United Nations fact-finding team, human rights violations are still taking place under the interim government.

The report states that since early August, violent mobs have carried out serious retaliatory acts, including killings, targeting police, Awami League leaders and activists, as well as others. During this period, Hindus, Ahmadiyya Muslims and members of ethnic minority groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts also became victims of human rights abuses. Their homes were attacked and set on fire. Shrines, temples and other religious sites were assaulted. The authorities failed to take effective action against these crimes, which were committed by individuals not connected to state forces, leaving victims without protection of their rights.

Meanwhile, the Citizens’ Platform for SDG Implementation has organised a dialogue on the “Draft National Human Rights Commission Ordinance”. At the citizen dialogue titled “Draft National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025”, speakers said that even after the interim government assumed power, incidents of human rights violations have continued across the country. Yet, this government has not formed a Human Rights Commission. In fact, it does not even want to listen to allegations of human rights abuses.

We know that after taking office, the interim government did form several reform commissions. But we do not know what stage their activities have reached. We have also heard of disagreements among political parties over reforms. On one hand, the interim government has not established a Human Rights Commission, and on the other hand, it refuses to even hear about violations of human rights. This is truly disappointing. Then who else can we turn to, and what can we expect?

Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), believes that the Human Rights Commission must be given the authority to monitor the activities of law enforcement agencies. He pointed out that unless the agencies responsible for rights violations are reformed, no reform aimed at upholding people’s rights will succeed.

Bangladeshi economist and public policy analyst Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow and founding Executive Director of the research organisation CPD, asked why the interim government has done so much, passed so many laws, but in the meantime failed to set up a Human Rights Commission, despite widespread violations of public safety, security and human rights.

Since the uprising, we have seen increasing disorder in society and the state. People are being harassed for their identity, their clothing, even for keeping their hair or beard in a certain way. Such incidents reflect a lack of democracy in society and the state. Yet, after the uprising, we had hoped that a fair, inclusive social order would be established. The failure to achieve this is regrettable and disappointing, and for this the interim government bears much responsibility. That is why we urge the interim government to acknowledge its failures and work as quickly as possible to establish human rights. With the election ahead, the interim government has very little time left. It may no longer be possible to set up a new Human Rights Commission, but through proper enforcement of law and order, it is still possible to restore human rights in society and the state, protecting the identity, values and dignity of individuals.