Elaine Pearson – The mass arrest of attendees at a meeting of a small left-wing political party in Dhaka on September 26 marks the latest reported incident raising concerns about civil and political rights in Bangladesh.
Police took approximately 290 supporters of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) into custody after members of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) youth wing, Jubo Dal, alleged that the gathering was a “secret” meeting of the banned Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A court subsequently remanded 27 of those arrested to custody over allegations that they had chanted “Joy Bangla,” or “Victory to Bengal,” a slogan associated with the Awami League.
The JSD was part of a 14-party alliance led by the Awami League, which governed Bangladesh from 2009 until 2024. That government was toppled following student-led protests in which hundreds of people were killed by security forces.
The BNP, now in power, faced severe repression during the Awami League’s tenure. However, since taking office following the February elections, the BNP government has also targeted people perceived as political opponents. Hundreds of Awami League members are reportedly in jail, many without formal charges.
Police have repeatedly raided gatherings allegedly involving Awami League supporters. On September 26, the same day as the JSD meeting in Dhaka, police in Barisal detained 12 Awami League activists accused of holding a “secret” meeting to “plan sabotage.” Two days later, another 15 people were arrested in Dhaka under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 on similar allegations. Those detained in both cases said they had gathered to commemorate Hasina’s birthday.
During Hasina’s rule, Bangladesh experienced widespread and serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and the arbitrary detention of political opponents.
The BNP came to power promising to restore human rights and uphold the rule of law. Yet its reported use of arbitrary detention against perceived opponents, alongside the rollback of human rights safeguards proposed by the interim government, raises questions about its commitment to those promises.
International human rights law protects freedom of expression and freedom of association. These rights apply to everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Past abuses committed under the Awami League government cannot justify similar violations by the BNP government today.
Bangladesh’s political history offers repeated warnings about the consequences of suppressing dissent. Protecting civil liberties, ensuring due process, and allowing peaceful political participation are essential to preventing another cycle of repression. Political accountability must apply to every government, regardless of which party holds power.
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Elaine Pearson, HRW, London
