Odhikar, a human rights organization in Bangladesh, has reported a rise in human rights abuses between August 9 and September 30. The report focuses on extrajudicial killings following the assumption of power by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus on August 8.
According to the report, at least eight people were killed in extrajudicial actions. One person allegedly died from police torture, while another was tortured by the Narcotics Control Department. Three victims were tortured to death by joint forces, and three more were shot by the same forces.
Political Violence and Lynching
From August 9 to September 30, political violence led to 52 deaths and 1,308 injuries. The report also highlights 67 lynchings from July to September. Of these, 36 occurred between July 1 and August 5, and 31 between August 9 and September 30.
However, no cases of enforced disappearances were reported in the latter period.
Journalists Targeted
The report also notes an alarming rise in attacks on journalists. Between August 9 and September 30, four journalists were injured, two were assaulted, and three were threatened. Additionally, three journalists faced legal cases while carrying out their work.
Casualties in Student Protests
The report also covers the student-led protests from July 1 to August 5. According to data from the Students Movement Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, 1,581 people, including children, were killed, and over 18,000 were injured.
Odhikar’s findings paint a concerning picture of increasing violence, political unrest, and attacks on press freedom in Bangladesh.
