During the interim government period, incidences of mob killings known as “mob justice” were alarming: According to the human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), during the interim government period, incidents of persons being beaten to death under the pretense of “mob justice” were concerning.
During the interim government:Â According to ASK’s 2024 Human Rights Report, the number of individuals killed in mob beatings this year has more than doubled from the previous year.
On Tuesday, the last day of the year, ASK issued this report based on media coverage. According to the research, 128 people were killed in mob attacks in 2024. There were 57 slain in Dhaka Division, 19 in Rajshahi Division, 17 in Chattogram Division, 14 in Khulna Division, 7 in Barishal Division, 5 in Mymensingh Division, 5 in Rangpur Division, and 4 in Sylhet Division. In 2023, 51 individuals were killed in mob attacks.
In its article on “mob justice,” ASK reported that the beating to death of a young man within Dhaka University provoked widespread outrage. The continued pattern of mob killings has claimed the lives of political party leaders and activists as well.
Abdullah Al Masud, a former Chhatra League leader at Rajshahi University, was beaten to death on September 7. He was attacked in Binodpur Market, near the university. Later, he was handed over to the authorities in critical condition. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died about midnight.
Masud previously served as the Rajshahi University Chhatra League’s assistant secretary and member of its central committee. In April 2014, he was attacked in front of the university’s Zia Hall, losing his right leg and severely injuring his left. He utilized a prosthetic leg to get around.
Extrajudicial killings and torture continue
The ASK research emphasizes that, while the number of extrajudicial executions has decreased, they have not been completely abolished. Furthermore, unbiased investigations and fair trials in these situations have not been guaranteed.
According to 2024 statistics, 21 persons were killed extrajudicially or died in police custody. Among these:
Six people died in police custody due to physical torture, three were shot, one committed suicide, one died in RAB custody, one was killed in a BGB crossfire, seven died in joint forces custody, one died in Navy custody, and one died in Department of Narcotics Control custody. Of the 21 events, 12 occurred after the current temporary government took office.
Despite the fact that the country’s Constitution and existing laws ban torture and other cruel, inhuman, or humiliating treatment or punishment, officers of law enforcement have been accused of engaging in such activities. Many cases of torture happened while people were in the custody of law enforcement forces. There have been numerous reports of excessive abuse in police stations to coerce captives into confessing.
858 people were killed in a mass uprising.
According to ASK’s report, based on information published on the website of the Management Information System (MIS) of the Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 858 people were killed and 11,551 were injured during the anti-discrimination student protest.
According to ASK-collected newspaper sources, the deceased included 11 women and 129 children and adolescents under the age of 18. During the July rebellion, children were slain by gunfire in their own homes, which was extremely devastating. The deceased also included students, laborers, professionals, and leaders and activists from numerous political parties.
Religious minorities
According to the ASK study, in 2024, there were 147 incidences of attacks on Hindu houses, temples, and businesses across the country. 408 residences were attacked and vandalized, 36 properties were set on fire, and 113 businesses were targeted. In addition, 32 Ahmadiyya temples and mosques were attacked, and 92 Hindu temple idols were vandalized. As a result of these episodes, three Hindus and one Ahmadiyya died, while at least 82 others were injured.
Rights of Indigenous Communities
According to ASK, incidences of human rights violations against numerous indigenous communities in both plains and hilly regions occurred in 2024, just as they had in previous years. On the night of December 24, 17 Tripura households’ homes in Purbo-Betachara Para of the Sarai Tongo Jhiri region of Lama Upazila, Bandarban, were destroyed by fire.
Villagers claimed that miscreants had made extortion demands before to the tragedy. The arson attack on their homes occurred shortly after.
On September 18, a boy called Md. Mamun was killed in a mob beating in Khagrachari district town after stealing a motorcycle. This incident led to conflicts between hill people and Bengalis in Khagrachari and Rangamati.
The conflicts resulted in four deaths and 50 injuries. There were also reports of attacks and arson on homes and businesses. Following the fall of the previous government, violence, looting, vandalism, and arson against indigenous people happened over three days in the northern area. These incidents occurred between the afternoons of August 5 and August 7.
Assailants attacked roughly 70 indigenous families in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, Dinajpur, and Thakurgaon. Notably, attacks were directed at indigenous populations in six Dinajpur upazilas. Furthermore, the country’s lone Sidhu-Kanhu sculpture was defaced.
During the interim government…During the interim government…During the interim government…During the interim government…During the interim government….During the interim government….
