Rising custodial deaths, mob violence to jeopardise July Uprising spirit

Speakers tell BILIA symposium on human rights condition

FE Team | Published: January 31, 2026 23:04:48

FE REPORT
Speakers at a symposium on Saturday expressed concern that rising custodial deaths and incidents of mob violence during the regime of the interim government are putting the spirit of the July Uprising at risk.
They warned that if mob violence cannot be controlled, the situation may become critical.
The symposium titled "State of Human Rights in Bangladesh: Overview" was organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) at its office in the city.
The session was chaired by Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, former head of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance.
Paying tribute to the July uprising victims, he said the country was freed from authoritarianism and fascism through their sacrifices.
He said enforced disappearance is more terrifying than death because families cannot perform funeral rites and continue to suffer long-term trauma.
He questioned why the previous National Human Rights Commission failed to hold the government and other actors accountable for wrongdoing.
He also said the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009 lacks effectiveness and "sharp teeth" to act against offenders.
He stressed that the commission must be bold enough to hold public officials accountable.
Judicial independence and the mental independence of judges are essential for democracy, he said.
Justice Md Farid Ahmed Shibli said some rights are created by law while others are moral human rights.
He noted that all fundamental rights are human rights, but not all human rights are fundamental rights under the Constitution.
Taskin Fahmina, director of human rights organisation Odhikar, described the previous regime as an unprecedented authoritarian period marked by custodial torture, extrajudicial killings, and repression of opposition political actors, journalists, and citizens.
She alleged that institutions, including the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, were weakened and elections lost credibility.
She also raised concern about media ownership and attacks on media outlets during this interim government.
She also noted that at least 14 custodial deaths were recently reported and said the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has not yet been dismantled.
Bir Protik Lt Col Hasin said he was a victim of enforced disappearance. He stressed that secondary and high school students should learn about incidents like the alleged "Aynaghar" secret detention centres and other human rights abuses during the Awami League-led government.
He said that after his abduction, it was not even possible to file an FIR.
According to him, many political detainees at that time were not treated as human beings.
He called for accountability through legal processes and punishment under the law for those responsible.
He requested human rights organisations, including Odhikar and other watchdog groups, to investigate these incidents and speak out.
He said it is unfortunate that some perpetrators still believe their actions were justified.
He mentioned Abu Sayeed, Mughdha, and Wasim, saying the nation should honour such brave martyrs properly.
He suggested that more recognition should be given to those who sacrificed their lives.
Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton said many victims are present who were allegedly held in Aynaghar.
He described the past situation as extremely fearful, where people were afraid to speak.
He expressed concern about the recent surge in custodial deaths and mob violence.
He said many murder cases include large numbers of accused persons, some of whom may not be involved.
Businesspeople, politicians, and journalists are also facing cases, and it is too early to say the human rights situation has improved.
He warned that using the spirit of the July movement to justify wrongdoing could encourage new forms of authoritarianism.
Social media is spreading both truth and misinformation, and verification often comes too late.
Freedom fighter Iqbal Chowdhury also spoke about his Aynaghar detentions during 2018-19 and called for full truth and accountability.
Ambassador Dr Nazrul Islam said the interim government has good intentions but faces limitations.
He stressed that all forms of disappearance and abuse must end through legal and institutional safeguards.
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