Bangladesh Human Rights
Human Rights Concerns
After a two-year stint with a de facto military government, Bangladesh held largely free and fair elections in late 2008 with the center-left Awami League winning a large majority in the Jyotiya Sangsad, Bangladesh's Parliament. The new Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, made some immediate improvements in human rights as well as taking symbolic steps forward by appointing the first woman in South Asia to be the Home Minister, which is a powerful law enforcement position in the government.
The government was convulsed in early 2009 by a rebellion of border guards (Bangladesh Rifles) who were upset over pay and working conditions. The battles in the center of the capital Dhaka, killed dozens. In the aftermath of the failed uprising, Amnesty International reported that at least four members of the Bangladesh Rifles died in custody, possibly as a result of torture. Amnesty International has called on the Bangladesh government and military to ensure that the human rights of the detained border guards are guaranteed.
Other grave human rights concerns include continued gender violence perpetuated by family and community in many parts of Bangladesh, occasional targeting of minorities in the country, ill-treatment of Royingya refugees from Burma and endemic corruption that negatively impacts the poor and dispossessed in the country.
For more information about Bangladesh, please contact AIUSA at aimember@aiusa.org and ask in the body of the message to get in touch with the Bangladesh Country Specialist.
Latest News
Bangladesh: Appeals for commutation of death sentencesNovember 20, 2009
Bangladesh: Bangladesh Government Must Hold Fair Trials to Ensure Justice for Victims of Mutiny, Says New Amnesty International Report
November 12, 2009
Bangladesh: Fair trials needed to ensure justice for victims of mutiny
November 11, 2009
Asia: UN Provides Welcome Support To Bangladesh War Crimes Investigations
April 07, 2009
USA: Border Guards Die In Custody In Bangladesh
March 27, 2009
Bangladesh: Elections present risks and opportunities for human rights
December 23, 2008
Latest Reports
Bangladesh: Tortured Human Rights Defender Facing ImprisonmentDecember 01, 2008
Bangladesh: Death in custody and reports of torture
May 10, 2007
Vital UN human rights work under threat
May 09, 2007
the wire, February 2007. Vol. 37, No.1
February 01, 2007
