In the wake of rising attacks on journalists, human rights defenders, and activists, international human rights organizations have issued a joint statement urging Bangladesh’s interim government to uphold freedom of expression and opinion. The call highlights disturbing patterns of violence, harassment, and intimidation that threaten the safety of media professionals in the country.
Several prominent rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Article 19, Human Rights Watch, PEN America, and the Committee to Protect Journalists, have expressed grave concern about the increasing risks faced by individuals who are merely exercising their rights to free speech. Despite the growing pressure, these organizations emphasize that the Bangladesh government is ultimately responsible for protecting these rights.
Surge in Violent Attacks on Journalists
The months of February and March 2025 have witnessed a surge in violent attacks against journalists, signaling a dangerous trend for media freedom in Bangladesh. On February 3, a journalist in Shariatpur was assaulted with hammers and knives after reporting on medical negligence at a private clinic. The attack left three other journalists injured, and while six suspects were produced in court on February 24, the incident underscores the growing risks to those who report on sensitive issues.
On the same day, four journalists in Lakshmipur were attacked by masked assailants wielding bamboo sticks and firearms. Two days later, three journalists were assaulted by political activists from the opposition BNP at the Supreme Court. Other reported incidents include police brutality against journalists covering a protest in Dhaka on February 9, and the assault of a journalist by a BNP member in Thakurgaon on February 25 following an article accusing the individual of extortion.
Despite these alarming events, rights groups stress that the government must take immediate action to protect journalists from violence and intimidation, irrespective of whether the attacks are carried out by state or non-state actors.
Attacks on Writers and Human Rights Defenders
The wave of attacks has not been limited to journalists. Authors, poets, and human rights defenders have also faced harassment and legal repercussions. On February 10, a group attacked a bookstall at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair for selling books by exiled writer Taslima Nasreen. Although the Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, ordered an investigation, no perpetrators have been held accountable.
On February 13, poet Sohel Galib was arrested for allegedly “hurting religious sentiment” through a poem, while human rights defender Rakhal Raha faced an investigation over a Facebook post questioning free speech restrictions in Galib’s case. Such incidents reveal an alarming trend of repression targeting not only journalists but also those who challenge the status quo through their writings.
Radicalism and the Rise of Extremist Groups
The surge in attacks on journalists and activists is taking place against the backdrop of rising radicalism, with extremist groups gaining more prominence under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus. Since the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, radical Islamist organizations such as Hizb ut-Tahrir, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Jamaat-e-Islami have regained influence, while the government has been accused of facilitating their activities.
On March 7, members of the banned Islamist militant group Hizb ut-Tahrir staged a violent protest in Dhaka, defying a government ban on public gatherings. Demonstrators chanted “Khilafat, Khilafat,” calling for the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate in place of Bangladesh’s secular democracy. The police responded with tear gas and stun grenades, but the incident highlights the growing radicalization within the country and the government’s inability or unwillingness to confront it.
Similarly, groups like Tawhidi Janata have carried out violent protests against the secular culture of Bangladesh. In January 2025, Tawhidi Janata attacked a high school in Tilakpur, protesting a friendly football match between two women’s teams. Such actions underscore the increasing influence of radical factions in the country, which aim to impose their interpretation of Islam and curtail freedoms such as gender equality and artistic expression.
Radicalization Under the Interim Government
The Yunus administration has been accused of enabling these extremist groups. Critics argue that by releasing convicted Islamic terrorists and downplaying violent attacks on religious minorities—particularly Hindus—Yunus has allowed radicalism to flourish. More than 2,200 incidents of violence against Hindus were reported in Bangladesh in 2024 alone, and these groups have targeted non-Muslim communities with impunity.
The government’s failure to act decisively against these radical organizations puts Bangladesh at risk of becoming a haven for extremism. The release of key figures from banned groups like Hefazat-e-Islam and Jamaat-e-Islami has allowed these factions to regain power and continue their push for an Islamic state, further undermining the secular fabric of the nation.
One of the most significant developments in this context is the release of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and their calls for the imposition of sharia law in Bangladesh. The group’s influence in the country is growing under the interim government, and this poses a direct challenge to the nation’s democratic and secular ideals. If left unchecked, this trend could lead Bangladesh down the same path as other nations that have succumbed to radical Islamism, like Afghanistan under the Taliban.
