There has been a rise in the number of murders, custodial deaths and human rights violations in Bangladesh. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is being blamed for this. An international human rights organization has shed light on this issue.
According to the report, the incidents have exposed systemic failures in law enforcement, prison management and judicial accountability
In its report titled ‘Status of Unjust Killings and Custodial Deaths under Interim Government in Bangladesh’, Justice Makers Bangladesh (JMBF) in France said that the number of such killings and custodial deaths in the country has increased under the Yunus administration between August 2024 and July 2025. The report said the incidents have been widely criticized, exposing systemic failures in law enforcement, prison management and judicial accountability.
The human rights organization has recorded a total of 60 such incidents in Bangladesh during this period, in which 70 people lost their lives
The human rights body documented a total of 60 such incidents in Bangladesh during this period, in which 70 people lost their lives. These incidents were carried out by the country’s law and security personnel and prison management. According to the report, “Of these cases, deaths in custody by law enforcement and security personnel were responsible for 33 (55 percent of all incidents) and 43 victims (61 percent of all victims). Deaths in custody in prisons accounted for 27 incidents (45 percent of incidents) and 27 victims (39 percent of victims). These figures show that most of the extrajudicial killings and deaths in custody occurred in state custody, reflecting the deep weakness of institutions.”
The victims were reportedly shot during a crackdown on protests
According to the JMBF report, between August 2024 and July 2025, there were 12 such incidents in which 21 people died in gunfire fired by Bangladesh law enforcement and security personnel, including the police, Rapid Action Battalion, army, joint forces, coast guard and air force. The victims were reportedly shot during crackdowns on protests.
The report said that law enforcement, prison administration and, to some extent, the judiciary too have been politicised to suppress dissent.
The human rights body accused the interim government of systematically weaponising the institutions meant to protect citizens. The report detailed that law enforcement agencies, prison authorities and, to some extent, even the judiciary have been politicised to suppress dissent. Instead of delivering justice, these institutions have become tools for persecution targeting Awami League activists, labourers and marginalised groups. Deliberate politicisation has eroded public confidence in the rule of law and exacerbated political divisions.
The judiciary in Bangladesh has failed to provide protection against executive abuses, according to a human rights body
According to the human rights body, the judiciary in Bangladesh has failed to provide protection against executive abuses. The report states that victims’ families face threats when filing complaints. Police refuse to register cases and courts delay or dismiss petitions. Of the 70 victims’ cases recorded, only a few resulted in any legal action and none resulted in accountability.
JMBF demands Yunus government to stop extrajudicial killings, custodial torture and medical negligence and set up an independent international investigation commission
JMBF urged the Yunus-led interim government to immediately stop serious violations by immediately ending all extrajudicial killings, custodial torture and medical negligence in prisons and establishing an international and independent investigation commission with full access to victims, families and documents. Targeting of political opponents and marginalized groups through arbitrary arrests, torture and imprisonment should also be stopped.
