Although commodity prices and Eid travel were relatively more bearable during the holy month of Ramadan compared to previous years, the overall human rights situation in March 2025 remained deeply concerning. Law and order failed to improve significantly, as numerous incidents of political violence, violence against women and children, mob attacks, labor abuse, journalist harassment, and border killings were reported across the country.
According to reports from various national media and data collected by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), the month saw at least 97 incidents of political violence resulting in 23 deaths and over 733 injuries. Most of these were driven by rivalries within political parties—especially the BNP—with violence centering around dominance, revenge, extortion, and control over properties. Although the number of incidents slightly declined compared to February, the death toll more than doubled. The BNP was involved in 88 of the 97 incidents, either internally or through clashes with other parties. Notably, attacks and vandalism of party offices by their own members were reported in at least four instances.
Attacks on journalists were alarming, with 41 cases of harassment across 29 incidents. Among the victims, at least 23 were injured, 4 humiliated, 5 threatened, and 2 arrested. One particularly tragic case involved the gang rape of a female journalist in Dhaka while on duty. Furthermore, under the Cyber Security Act 2023, one journalist was arrested and three were charged.
Violence against women and children remains a grave concern. At least 284 women and girls faced abuse, with 133 rape cases—83 of them involving minors under 18. Gang rape victims accounted for 30 of the cases, and at least two women were murdered following rape while one committed suicide. An 8-year-old girl named Achiya died in hospital days after being raped and tortured by her sister’s father-in-law in Magura. In Munshiganj, a six-year-old girl named Fatema was strangled to death after an attempted rape. Another teenage girl in Lakshmipur took her own life after failing to receive justice following rape. Twenty women were killed in domestic violence, and 207 children suffered abuse, with 18 fatalities.
There were six cross-border incidents this month where Indian forces (BSF) shot and killed two Bangladeshis and injured two others. Additionally, a young man from Sylhet was killed by Indian Khasias. On the Myanmar border, shelling and landmines placed by the Arakan Army injured several, including a security guard.
Mob violence resulted in 12 deaths and 44 injuries across 40 incidents. One particularly brutal case in Habiganj saw a young man tortured and set on fire after being tied to a tree on suspicion of theft. In Pabna, a woman was publicly beaten and humiliated for alleged theft.
At least 21 labor-related violence incidents resulted in 7 deaths and over 120 injuries, many during protests for unpaid wages and Eid bonuses. Five workers died due to hazardous conditions, and one child domestic worker was killed by their employer.
Political repression continued, with 22 lawsuits filed against Sheikh Hasina and Awami League activists, naming over 2,100 individuals and implicating an additional 2,700. At least 1,665 arrests were made in political cases, mostly targeting Awami League members. The police also arrested 45 members of the banned group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Four individuals died in custody, two as detainees and two as convicts. One man named Hejaz bin Alam died in police custody while being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
There were three attacks on minority communities, resulting in injuries to two people and the destruction of two religious idols.
Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh – March 2025
| Category | Incidents | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political Violence | 97 | 23 | 733 |
| Journalist Attacks | 29 | 0 | 23 |
| Violence Against Women/Children | 284 | 49 | 189 |
| Border Killings/Attacks | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| Mob Violence | 40 | 12 | 44 |
| Labor Rights Violations | 21 | 7 | 120 |
| Political Arrests | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Custodial Deaths | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Attacks on Minorities | 3 | 0 | 2 |
The Human Rights Support Society calls on the government to take urgent action to protect human rights and engage civil society, political leaders, journalists, students, and citizens in dialogue to restore democracy and the rule of law. Without concrete steps, the overall human rights situation in Bangladesh is feared to worsen further.
