New York, August 24: Human Rights Watch (HRW), an American human rights organization, has expressed concern over politically motivated police detentions and arrests in Bangladesh. The organization has urged the Bangladeshi administration to expedite the resolution of cases involving individuals linked to the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. HRW claims that hundreds of individuals are imprisoned without any charges.
According to HRW, following weeks of violent protests in August 2024 that led to Hasina’s ousting, police detained thousands of party officials, activists, and supporters.
The organization reported that since Tariq Rahman assumed the role of Prime Minister in February 2026, nearly ten Awami League officials have died in custody, most of whom had no evidence linking them to any crimes.
Families and lawyers of those detained have alleged that many, including the elderly and those suffering from serious illnesses, have been denied basic facilities such as bail and medical treatment.
Elaine Pearson, HRW’s Asia director, stated, “Across successive governments, hundreds of opposition members have been imprisoned without evidence or due legal process. Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s government promised reforms, and as a first step, they must end the arbitrary detention and prolonged custody of political opponents.”
The human rights organization criticized the ruling BNP government’s new ‘National Human Rights Commission Bill,’ warning that if adopted in its current form, the new commission would lack the power to investigate arbitrary arrests.
HRW noted, “Those detained without charges include former Awami League MPs, other ex-legislators supporting Hasina’s administration, and activists, officials, and journalists backing the Awami League government. Allegations of extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances have been made against members of the security forces, with some also facing corruption charges.”
Furthermore, HRW stated that despite a lack of evidence, government lawyers have repeatedly opposed bail requests.
Additionally, the organization highlighted that lower magistrates and district courts in Bangladesh have consistently denied bail, while new cases filed by government officials often disregard High Court orders granting bail.
Expressing deep concern over ongoing detentions and deaths in custody, HRW called for every detained individual’s custody to be reviewed by a judge or competent authority to determine its legality and necessity. The organization emphasized that any pre-trial restrictions should align with the rights to freedom, presumption of innocence, and equality.
Pearson remarked, “A justice system that allows the elderly to die in custody before charges are even brought is not viewing pre-trial detention as an exceptional measure, as it should be. The Bangladesh government must order a fair investigation into all deaths in custody and cease the arbitrary long-term detention of individuals without charges.”
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