Post-Hasina Bangladesh takes to extremism

New Delhi: Bangladesh remains mired in political uncertainty and extremism is on the rise a year after the "historic" student-led uprising brought down former PM Sheikh Hasina. The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, came to power promising justice, transparency and institutional reform. Yet, according to Human Rights watchdogs, those promises remain largely unfulfilled.

"After August 5, 2024, terrorists who were sentenced and under trial have been released from prison without any legal process. Since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the presence of various militant organisations has increased across Bangladesh. They have already committed numerous subversive criminal activities. They have openly displayed the flag of ISIS on the streets of Dhaka and held demonstrations and processions under the banners of banned militant organisations." according to a recent report by Canada-based Global Center for Democratic Governance.

The report is titled 'A Snapshot of Human Rights Violations Under Bangladesh's Interim Government'. The Yunus administration's decision to ban the Awami League under broad anti-terrorism legislation has been hugely criticised at home and abroad. Human Rights Watch has issued an alarm over continued arbitrary detentions, particularly targeting members and supporters of the ousted Bangladesh Awami League.