DHAKA– At least 121 people have been killed and 5,189 injured in 471 incidents of political violence in Bangladesh since Muhammad Yunus took charge of the interim government in August 2024, according to a report released Monday by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
The findings were shared by TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman at a press conference held at the organization’s headquarters in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area. Senior Research Fellows Shahzada Akram and Zulkarnain presented the detailed report.
The report attributes 92 percent of the violence to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami responsible for five percent and the National Citizen Party (NCP) accounting for one percent.
“We’ve found a widespread disregard for the rule of law among many political parties,” said Zulkarnain, as quoted by The Daily Star, one of Bangladesh’s leading newspapers.
Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman noted that while the Yunus-led interim government has launched numerous reform initiatives, they lack a concrete implementation roadmap, leading to a significant trust deficit among citizens and stakeholders.
He also raised concerns over corruption and conflicts of interest involving members of the newly formed political party, the interim government, and other political groups.
TIB warned that despite some consensus on reform proposals, the constitutional and legal implementation of reforms outlined in the July Charter remains uncertain. Sharp disagreements also persist among major political parties on core elements of the reform agenda.
The report further flagged continued restrictions on freedom of information and expression, as well as a marked increase in religion-based political influence over the past year.
It also documented disturbing trends of violence and coercion targeting women and religious minorities—actions that contradict the principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination.
Since the Yunus-led government came to power, Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in unprovoked attacks against journalists, police officers, religious minorities, and individuals affiliated with the Awami League party.
There are growing allegations of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions—especially of journalists—mob violence, and incitement of religious hatred, including assaults on Bangladeshi Hindus and the destruction of Hindu temples. (Source: IANS)
