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Amnesty Warns Bangladesh Interim Government Over Rights Abuses Ahead of Elections
Jan 29, 2026Amnesty International has issued a stark warning to Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of failing to uphold basic human rights and urging immediate action ahead of next month’s national elections.
In an open letter, Amnesty Secretary General Agnès Callamard criticized the administration for misusing the Anti-Terrorism Act against journalists and dissenters, citing the 2025 arrests of reporters Monjurul Alam Panna and Anis Alamgir as politically motivated and arbitrary. She said such actions undermine democratic participation and violate Bangladesh’s obligations under international law.
The letter also highlighted rising violence, including attacks on media offices, harassment of editors, and the lynching of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in December 2025. Amnesty said the government’s weak response has left minorities, journalists, and critics at grave risk.
“People must not fear for their lives for expressing their views,” Callamard stated, warning that unlawful restrictions on speech and assembly are eroding public confidence in state institutions.
Amnesty urged the Yunus-led administration to immediately end the abuse of repressive laws, ensure accountability for violence, and create a safe, inclusive environment for political participation. Failure to act, the organization warned, could cast serious doubt on the credibility of the February 12 elections.
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