Guwahati: The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has prepared a report on the human rights situation in Bangladesh under Nobel Laureate Dr. Mohammed Yunus, the current Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh.
The report, titled “100 Days of Dr Yunus: Mobocracy Imperils Bangladesh’s Reforms”, details alarming human rights violations in the country.
RRAG claimed that the Noble Laureate Dr Mohammed Yunus has replicated every act of the previous administration under deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
It condemned the Yunus for not taking action to the increased violations of the rights of the indigenous peoples and religious minorities and providing impunity to the murderers of 44 policemen killed during the student protests.
In its assessment, the RRAG underscores that despite Dr. Yunus’s promises of reforms, his government has overseen widespread human rights abuses, with no tangible change in the country’s political landscape.
Describing deplorable human rights violations during the first 100 days of Dr Yunus, the RRAG report highlighted that over 272,000 individuals have been targeted in 1,598 criminal cases, mostly political opponents.
Highlighting the attack on press freedom, it stated that over 354 journalists have been harassed, with 74 subjected to violence. The government has filed criminal cases against at least 113 journalists and revoked the press accreditation of 167 others, stifling independent media voices.
The report accuses Dr. Yunus of establishing a compliant judiciary by removing five Supreme Court judges, including the Chief Justice, and 12 High Court judges and dissolving the NHRC by forcing all the members to resign because of the critical monthly report in October that contradicts the Interim Government’s claims on law and order situation.
Attacks on indigenous peoples, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs), have surged. Between 19 September and 1 October 2024, at least four indigenous people were killed, and over 75 others were injured. The report also alleges the Government Inquiry Commission report on the destruction of 142 homes, businesses, and Buddhist temples has not been made public as well as the non-implementation of the CHTs Peace Accord by Dr Mohammed Yunus.
It stated that Dr. Yunus’s government continues to rely on the draconian Cyber Security Act, with at least 11 cases filed under it. Despite widespread calls for repeal, there has been no sign of any change.
“Despite the scale of these severe human rights violations, Dr. Yunus has yet to be held accountable. He is effectively replicating the worst aspects of Sheikh Hasina’s tenure — overseeing increased attacks on indigenous peoples and religious minorities, and granting impunity to those responsible for the deaths of at least 44 policemen during the uprising,” Suhas Chakma, Director of the RRAG, claimed.
He further added, “Dr Yunus’s Interim Government is using the students to justify all the illegal and unconstitutional acts to remain in power as long as he wishes. Yunus reiterated that elections will be held only after reforms. These reforms can take months or years, and he can remain in power even though these reforms can be effectively rejected by the next elected government.”
“The international community’s blind support for these so-called reforms, without regard for whether they will be accepted by future governments, could doom Bangladesh’s transition to democracy,” he warned.
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RRAG has urged for the immediate implementation of recommendations by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who has urged the establishment of a UN office in Bangladesh to assist with transitional justice, reconciliation, and the reform process.
