Last Updated on January 1, 2026 8:57 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Human rights violations intensified across Bangladesh in 2025, with sharp rises in political violence, mob lynching, attacks on journalists, custodial deaths and violence against women and children, according to a report by Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).
The report recorded 914 incidents of political violence, leaving 133 dead and 7,511 injured. Ahead of the 13th national election, 54 election-related incidents resulted in three deaths and 494 injuries. At least 244 cases were filed against Sheikh Hasina, Awami League leaders and others, naming 11,935 individuals and listing over 42,000 unnamed accused. More than 50,000 people were arrested.
Mob violence accounted for 292 incidents, killing 168 people. Journalists faced 318 attacks, affecting 539 media workers; three were killed and 273 injured. HRSS also documented 40 deaths linked to law enforcement actions and 92 deaths in prisons or custody. Violence against women and children remained widespread, with 2,047 women and girls affected, including 828 rape cases, of which 474 involved children.
HRSS Executive Director Ijajul Islam warned: “Without addressing mob violence, custodial deaths, political tension and restrictions on free expression, the human rights situation could deteriorate further.”