The United States Department of State’s 2024 annual human rights assessment notes that Bangladesh’s overall rights situation has stabilised since the change in government, though certain problems remain unresolved.

The report states that following the removal of the Sheikh Hasina administration, the interim government detained several former officials accused of rights abuses. It also observes that under the previous government, there were frequent allegations of impunity for those involved in such violations.

According to the findings, serious abuses took place during the July–August uprising, with the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the former ruling party, implicated in grave offences.

The document recalls that after weeks of large-scale student protests and violent clashes with police and Awami League activists, resulting in hundreds of deaths, former Prime Minister Hasina left the country on August 5. Three days later, Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus was appointed Chief Adviser, leading a new interim administration.

While isolated incidents occurred in the early days of the transition, conditions have gradually improved. Still, the report highlights ongoing concerns, including:

• Unlawful killings and enforced disappearances

• Torture and other ill-treatment

• Arbitrary arrests and detentions

• Cross-border harassment of dissidents

• Severe restrictions on free speech and media

• Obstacles to freedom of association and workers’ rights

• Violence against labour leaders

• Prevalence of the worst forms of child labour

The State Department notes that the interim government, with UN support, is pursuing justice for past abuses through both the regular court system and the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal.