Bangladesh recorded a rise in political violence, mob attacks, violence against journalists, violence against women and children, and restrictions on freedom of expression in August, according to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).
In its monthly report sent to the media on Thursday (September 3), the rights organisation said 28 people were killed and 62 injured in mob violence during the month. It recorded 70 incidents of political violence, leaving seven people dead and more than 536 injured.
HRSS said the report was prepared based on news published in 16 national media outlets as well as its own investigations.
Mob violence
At least 53 incidents of mob violence were recorded in August, triggered by allegations including theft, robbery, mugging, arguments, attempts to establish dominance and alleged religious defamation. The incidents left 28 people dead and 62 injured, according to the report.
Political violence rises
Political violence increased in August compared with July, HRSS said.
In July, 45 incidents of political violence left six people dead and 164 injured. In August, the number rose to 70 incidents, with seven deaths and more than 536 injuries.
Of the 70 incidents recorded in August:
20 incidents of internal BNP clashes left five people dead and at least 152 injured. 18 clashes between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami left one person dead and 233 injured. Seven clashes between BNP and Awami League left one person dead and 26 injured. Six clashes between BNP and the National Citizen Party (NCP) injured 16 people. 10 clashes involving BNP and other political parties injured 38 people.
A further nine clashes between different political groups injured 71 people.
Of the seven people killed in political violence, five were BNP members, one was affiliated with the Awami League and one with Jamaat-e-Islami.
Campus-based clashes among student organisations also continued. HRSS recorded at least 13 such incidents, in which 216 people were injured. Eight clashes between Chhatra Dal and Shibir left 181 people injured, while five clashes involving Chhatra Dal, other student organisations and general students injured another 35.
According to HRSS, most political violence was linked to attempts to establish dominance, political disputes, attacks, factional and internal party conflicts, and extortion.
There were also attacks on political leaders and activists, incidents of people being shot, and vandalism and arson in different districts.
At least four attacks by alleged miscreants left three people injured and two dead. At least 12 political leaders and activists were shot during the month.
HRSS said at least 19 incidents involving attempts to establish dominance, occupation, political violence and extortion resulted in attacks, looting, vandalism and arson at more than 50 homes, businesses and party offices.
Violence was also reported in connection with the upcoming local government elections. In clashes involving candidates and their supporters in Kushtia and Satkhira, at least nine people were injured in August.
More than 62 political cases
More than 62 cases were filed against leaders and activists of different political parties during August, HRSS said.
The cases named 1,125 people and included around 2,209 unnamed accused.
Across political and other incidents during the month, a total of 12,823 people were arrested in 162 incidents. Among those arrested were at least 429 Awami League members, 22 BNP members, four Jamaat-e-Islami members, nine NCP members and five members of extremist organisation
Ald.
One journalist was named as an accused in a case filed over the publication of a report. Another journalist was accused in a case filed under the Cyber Security Act 2026.
HRSS also said law enforcement agencies directly or indirectly obstructed 13 meetings and rallies during the month. At least 61 people were injured and eight were detained in those incidents.
The organisation recorded eight incidents involving restrictions on freedom of expression, resulting in 10 arrests and eight cases. At least 11 people were accused in those cases.
According to the report, two people were detained for criticising the prime minister, one for producing political and other content, and two over allegations of hurting religious sentiments and making derogatory remarks. Six others were detained in connection with other incidents.
Four cases were filed under different provisions of the Cyber Security Act 2026, naming five people as accused. All five were detained.
249 women and girls subjected to violence
HRSS reported that 249 women and girls experienced violence in August.
At least 79 were raped, including 46, or 58%, who were children or adolescents under the age of 18.
Another 18 women and girls were victims of gang rape, while 93 were sexually assaulted, including 38 children.
In dowry-related violence, six women were killed, seven injured and one died by suicide.
Domestic violence claimed the lives of 49 people, while 31 were injured and 23 women died by suicide, according to the report.
282 children subjected to abuse
A total of 282 children were subjected to abuse in August, HRSS said.
Of them, 77 died, while 205 suffered physical or psychological abuse.
19 workers killed in 84 incidents
At least 84 incidents of violence against workers were recorded during the month. They left 19 workers dead and at least 67 injured.
In separate workplace accidents, at least 63 workers died because of unsafe working conditions and a lack of protective equipment.
Two domestic workers also died in separate incidents, while another domestic worker was subjected to abuse.
Three killed along the borders
Along the India-Bangladesh border, HRSS recorded eight incidents involving attacks by the Border Security Force (BSF). Two people were killed and one injured, while five people were detained from border areas.
Five people were pushed into Bangladesh through different border points, while attempts were made to push another 18 people into the country.
At the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, a landmine explosion killed a Bangladeshi youth and injured another person. Three people were also detained from the waterways.
87 bodies recovered
HRSS reported that 87 bodies were recovered in 82 incidents from rivers, canals, forests and abandoned locations across the country in August.
Among the recovered bodies, 12 were found inside sacks, 17 were found hanging and 26 had multiple injury marks.
Nine bodies were found with their throats cut, while eight were recovered with their hands and legs tied. The remaining 15 bodies were found under various circumstances.
At least six accused people died in different prisons across the country in August.
They included one convicted prisoner and five detainees awaiting trial. One of the deceased was an Awami League member, while the other five were ordinary prisoners or detainees, according to HRSS.
‘Human rights situation is concerning’
Commenting on the overall situation, HRSS Executive Director Ijazul Islam said Bangladesh’s human rights situation had entered a sensitive and changing phase in August.
He said the situation had become increasingly concerning amid recent political developments, debates surrounding the National Parliament and growing concerns over public safety.
The HRSS executive director called on the government to take accountable and responsible measures to prevent further deterioration of the country’s human rights situation.
