BANGLADESH: 45 dead in a year of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Parishad’s annual report on the persecution of ethnic-religious minorities in the country was released today. 1,045 cases of violence in the past year, resulting in 45 deaths. The environment for free religious practice has been completely restricted,” says lawyer Rana Dasgupta.

Dhaka () – In the past year, 1,045 cases of violence, torture and oppression against religious and ethnic minorities have occurred in Bangladesh, resulting in the deaths of 45 people. These figures were released by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Parishad during a press conference held on 9 July at the National Press Club in Dhaka. The event featured the release of the report on violence and persecution of ethnic-religious minorities in the country, based on analysis of the media between July 2023 and June 2024, presented by lawyer Rana Dasgupta, secretary general of the organisation. Several Hindu, Buddhist and Christian leaders took part in the conference.

The report notes that 70-75% of violence against minorities is geocentric. It shows that terrorists have carried out these attacks against minorities, often under the influence of various political parties. In fact, government agencies are also involved in the heinous practice of land grabbing. During the press conference, Rana Dasgupta, also a member of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, said that these incidents are only a part of organised violence. He said, “A comparative examination of communal violence in the past years shows that the incidence of violence has not changed much even today. At the time of the 1970 elections, the minority population was around 19%. Now it has come down to 8.6%. The environment for free religious practice has been completely restricted. Religious events are organised under police surveillance.”

If we look at the data in the report, to the 45 reported murders we must add 7 recovered bodies that appeared to be lifeless. But also 10 attempted murders and 36 death threats. A total of 479 people were assaulted, physically abused or injured. Extortion was also demanded from 11 people. There were 102 incidents of attacks, vandalism, looting or arson of residences and businesses, and 47 incidents of land or property invasion. There were 45 incidents of land occupation, eviction activities and threats, and 11 incidents of threats or attempts at forced migration. There were also 25 incidents of gang rape. In addition, there were 12 incidents of abduction, disappearance and forced conversion. Eight people were arrested on trumped-up charges of blasphemy. During the last parliamentary elections, there were 32 incidents of communal violence and five incidents during local elections.

Dasgupta added that communist and fundamentalist forces are spreading their influence in all spheres, including the state, government, administration, politics and society. They are making the minority community feel more insecure and distrustful, forcing them to leave the country. Nirmol Rozario, a Catholic, president of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, called for the fulfilment of the election promises contained in the Bangladesh Awami League manifesto, including the formation of a National Commission for Minorities to prevent persecution of minorities and the formulation of a law to provide them with special protection. “The persecution of religious minorities will decrease if the Bangladesh government realises its manifesto for minorities,” he said. Rana Dasgupta also stressed the need for the formation of a National Commission for Minorities to prevent their continued persecution, as promised in the Awami League’s election manifesto.