DHAKA, Bangladesh — The newly formed government of Bangladesh is currently grappling with numerous challenges, including an underperforming economy and issues surrounding human rights that emerged following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina six months ago.
Hasina, who departed to India in August after a student-led revolt ended her 15-year leadership, has left the interim government, now led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, to address the fallout. The military’s influence is notably present in this new administration.
Recently, Hasina’s Awami League party announced plans for widespread protests scheduled for February, including a general strike. This move provoked a violent response from student activists and groups opposed to Hasina, who vandalized and demolished the historic residence of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a key figure in Bangladesh’s fight for independence.
Yunus’ office commented that Hasina’s incendiary remarks from her exile in India regarding the uprising have stirred public anger. In response, Hasina accused Yunus of negligence regarding the safeguarding of her family’s home. The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also summoned an Indian diplomat, branding Hasina’s recent statements as “false and provocative.”
The situation six months post-Hasina’s ousting reveals uncertainty regarding her potential return. Hasina faces serious criminal allegations, notably connected to the deaths of numerous protesters during the uprising last year. Despite challenges, she claims she intends to make a comeback, as indicated in her speeches and leaked calls while residing in exile. Meanwhile, the interim government has called upon India to extradite her, but the request remains unaddressed. Interpol has been engaged for Hasina’s arrest concerning charges related to crimes against humanity.
Many of Hasina’s relatives and key members of her party have fled Bangladesh. Reports from her Awami League indicate over 100 supporters have allegedly lost their lives in attacks since her departure, although these claims are yet to be verified.
In a sweep to tighten control, the interim government has arrested thousands of Hasina’s followers and prohibited the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student branch of her party. A recent report from Human Rights Watch highlighted a resurgence of security force misconduct targeting Hasina’s supporters, alongside threats to journalists.
Amidst these issues, the Yunus-led interim administration has formed six commissions aimed at overhauling various sectors, including electoral systems and public administration. These commissions are currently finalizing their findings, which are expected to be disclosed soon. Nevertheless, major political groups like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, demand immediate reforms followed by elections, asserting that substantial reforms are best achieved under an elected government.
On the human rights front, Human Rights Watch has called for the establishment of lawful detention practices and the repeal of laws that target dissenting voices. Although the interim government annulled the previous Cyber Security Act, which restricted freedom of expression, it has been replaced by a new ordinance containing similar oppressive features, as indicated by HRW.
Moreover, various media organizations have accused the new administration of systematically silencing independent press outlets. Prominent groups, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, are advocating for fair trials and the protection of journalists’ rights, despite government claims of no reported intimidation.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council expressed discontent towards the interim government for its alleged failure to shield minority groups from violence and discrimination; however, officials argue that most incidents of violence were politically motivated rather than communal in nature.
In the backdrop, Islamist factions are becoming more pronounced in the current political atmosphere. Political analyst Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah warns that extremist religious organizations may exploit the prevailing disorder to expand their influence. A substantial number of inmates, including radical Islamists and death-row convicts, remain at large following jailbreaks during the uprising, adding to the instability.
The timing of the next election remains uncertain, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party insisting on an election this year, threatening street protests otherwise. Likewise, the student factions involved in the uprising, along with the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, indicate their willingness to allow the government adequate time for critical reforms prior to voting. Yunus, however, commits to holding elections either this December or by June of the next year.
