Bangladesh at Risk as HRW Warns of Repeating Mistakes under Hasina’s Rule

Journalists have issued a warning regarding the weakening of opportunities to end the legal abuses seen during the tenure of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. The Human Rights Watch released a statement emphasizing the need to address the vulnerabilities that may arise following the backlash against journalists and arbitrary arrests under Hasina’s rule.

After the student-led movement brought an end to 15 years of authoritarian rule, Hasina fled into exile in August. The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, had promised to establish progressive democratic reforms and hold new elections shortly after assuming office.

In a recent report, the Human Rights Watch pointed out that weak institutions involved in the mistreatment of Hasina’s political opponents have initiated a process of reform. However, regional director for Asia at HRW, Elaine Pearson, cautioned that without swift and structural reforms by the interim government, any progress made could be easily undone.

In the aftermath of Hasina’s ousting, within two months, the police had filed complaints against ten thousand supporters of Hasina, highlighting the previous government’s involvement in abusive practices. The report indicated that families of those killed during security crackdowns on anti-government protests have been pressured to sign documents without fully understanding the accusations of murder.

Furthermore, the report mentioned that journalists who supported Hasina’s government faced severe repercussions from the interim government. It highlighted instances of around 140 journalists facing charges related to the alleged support for the crackdown on dissent under Hasina’s administration.

Ramesh Khatri, a media person from Kansai Nepal News, expressed concern about the current situation, stating that the need for extensive reforms to prevent a return to unchecked power in the future is crucial.


Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: January 28, 2025 10:43 pm