237 lives lost to mob attacks, political violence

• 1,511 women, girls faced violence 
• 340 journos victims of murder, torture
• 22 attacks on religious minorities
• 74 workers killed, 828 hurt in 176 incidents

The human rights situation in Bangladesh remained "alarming" during the first nine months of this year, with at least 107 people killed in political violence and 130 others in mob beatings, according to Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

"After the fall of autocrat Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, the interim government -- led by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus -- assumed power. However, the human rights and law-and-order situation in the country has not improved as expected," the report said.

In its January–September Human Rights Observation Report, HRSS said Bangladesh continues to witness incidents of political violence, mob attacks, and violence against women and children, though enforced disappearances and so-called crossfire killings did not occur during the period.

The report cited the murder of trader Sohag, 39, near the gate of Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, and the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Magura by her sister's father-in-law.

According to HRSS, at least 107 people were killed and 5,579 injured in 692 incidents of political violence across the country in nine months. Most of the clashes were linked to internal feuds within the BNP and its affiliated organisations.

Violence mainly occurred over establishing dominance, political vengeance, rallies, disputes over committee formation, extortion, and occupation of various establishments, it said.

Of those killed, 71 were from BNP, 23 from Awami League, three from Jamaat-e-Islami, one from Students Against Discrimination, and six from the UPDF. The political identities of three others, including one woman, could not be confirmed.

Meanwhile, at least 340 journalists were victims of murder, torture, or harassment in 236 incidents during the nine months.

Among them, two journalists were killed, 209 injured, 36 humiliated, and 54 threatened. Eleven were arrested, and 103 others were accused in 29 cases, it added.

The report mentioned the killings of journalists Asaduzzaman Tuhin in Gazipur and Wahed-uz-Zaman Bulu in Khulna.

HRSS documented 239 incidents of mob violence that left at least 130 people dead and 212 injured.

Between January and September, 1,511 women and girls faced violence. In this period, 663 rape incidents were recorded. Of the victims, 393 were children, the report said.

At least 152 women and girls were gang-raped, 19 rape victims were killed, and nine took their own lives.

Besides, 61 inmates -- including seven AL leaders and activists -- died in prisons during this period.

The report said 28 people died in incidents involving law enforcement agencies, including 10 in custody, eight in clashes or shootings, and four due to torture. Seven others died while fleeing police operations.

HRSS recorded 22 incidents of attacks on religious minorities, which left five injured and resulted in the vandalism of five temples, 37 idols, and 38 homes. It also noted over 50 attacks on religious shrines and mazars, including one in Rajbari where the body of a self-proclaimed pir was exhumed and set on fire.

The report said 23 Bangladeshi nationals were killed, 34 injured, and 56 detained by India's Border Security Force during 61 border incidents. HRSS alleged that 3,264 people were pushed back from India between January and September.

During the same period, 176 incidents of violence against workers were reported, resulting in 74 deaths and 828 injuries.

HRSS said to establish the rule of law and improve democracy and human rights, it is essential to strengthen dialogue among political parties, civil society, journalists, and citizens. "If these issues are not properly addressed, the rights situation will continue to deteriorate," the report warned.