Nine rights groups urge PM Tarique to prioritise human rights, address past abuses
The letter highlighted ongoing issues such as continued attacks and arrests of journalists, instances of mob violence, and the vulnerability of minority communities.
Nine international rights organisations urge Bangladesh's new government to undertake sweeping reforms to address past abuses and strengthen democratic institutions, saying the administration has a rare opportunity to reset the country's human rights trajectory.
In a joint letter sent on 12 March to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the groups – including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists – call for accountability, legal reforms and stronger protections for civil liberties.
Addressing past abuses
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According to a commission of inquiry cited by the groups, at least 1,569 people were subjected to enforced disappearance under the previous administration, while at least 287 remain missing.
They call for impartial investigations into the deaths of about 1,400 people during the 2024 protests and for credible accountability mechanisms. The groups also recommend reforms to the International Crimes Tribunal to ensure international standards, alongside abolishing the death penalty or imposing an immediate moratorium.
They further propose forming a committee of independent experts to review thousands of cases involving people allegedly detained arbitrarily for political reasons.
Freedom of expression, security sector and legal reform
Rights groups say press freedom has improved, but journalists and activists remain vulnerable to intimidation, legal harassment and mob violence. They call for the release of detained journalists and the dismissal of politically motivated cybercrime cases.
The organisations also urge repealing laws that enable abuse, including the Special Powers Act and Official Secrets Act, and introducing judicial oversight for surveillance.
They add that preventing future abuses requires major security sector reforms, including disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion despite plans to restructure it, implementing human rights vetting for UN peacekeeping personnel, and stronger training on the use of force.
The groups further call for implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, demilitarising the region, protecting Indigenous land rights, and ensuring credible investigations into attacks on Indigenous communities and religious minorities.
Strengthening legal frameworks and protecting vulnerable communities
The letter highlights key ordinances, welcoming the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance for legal aid, rehabilitation and compensation while urging amendments to align with international standards.
The right groups call for strengthening the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance to ensure an independent appointments process. They express concern about the Cyber Security Ordinance, Personal Data Protection Ordinance, and National Data Governance Ordinance, warning that vague provisions and broad powers could threaten press freedom and privacy.
They recommend that all new legislation undergo formal human rights impact assessments. The organisations also urge stronger protections for Indigenous groups, religious minorities, and gender minorities, ending harassment of communities such as the Bawm, releasing detainees without credible charges, reaffirming protection for Hindus and Ahmadis, ensuring social and legal inclusion of the hijra community, enacting comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, and repealing provisions in the Child Marriage Restraint Act.
Refugees and social protections
The watchdogs urge closing Bhasan Char, allowing voluntary Rohingya relocation to the mainland, and improving education and livelihood access for 1.2 million refugees. They support raising education and health spending to 5% of GDP, establishing universal social protection, and strengthening labour rights.
"Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has a mandate to deliver meaningful change, requiring genuine reforms to strengthen institutions, safeguard freedoms, and uphold the rights of all citizens," said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy director of Human Rights Watch Asia. The letter concludes with an offer of collaboration, noting that while the recommendations are extensive, each step is critical to securing lasting human rights protections and creating a positive legacy for Bangladesh.
