Bangladesh’s Interim Government Accused of Political Repression Under Amended Anti-Terrorism Law
- Human Rights Research Center
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
October 13, 2025
HRRC strongly condemns the Bangladeshi interim government’s misuse of the amended Anti-Terrorism Act to silence dissent and target political opponents. Such actions represent a grave violation of fundamental rights and undermine the country’s path toward democracy and justice.
![Protesters celebrate after the interim government officially bans all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act, pending the conclusion of the International Crimes Tribunal trials against the party and its leaders, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 10, 2025. [Image credit: MD Abu Sufian Jewel/NurPhoto via Reuters]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_e8effd48a97545e88a54db273edcd20e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_946,h_631,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_e8effd48a97545e88a54db273edcd20e~mv2.png)
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is accused of misusing the newly amended Anti-Terrorism Act to arrest alleged supporters of the deposed Awami League government. The accusation came from Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday. The organization urged the UN human rights team in Bangladesh to intervene for the release of those detained arbitrarily and ensure that authorities uphold due process.
The interim administration, which assumed power in August 2024 after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government amid protests that left about 1,400 people dead, imposed a temporary ban on the Awami League on May 12, 2025, using new powers under the amended law. The ban restricts public meetings, publications and online speech supporting the party, resulting in the detention of many peaceful activists.
HRW criticized the Yunus-led government for repeating the repressive tactics of its predecessor, including mass arrests, custodial mistreatment, and the suppression of dissent. A key incident on August 28 involved police detaining 16 people, including journalists and academics, during a discussion organized by Mancha 71 at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, after a mob accused them of being Awami League sympathizers. Instead of arresting the disruptors, police charged the participants under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Civil society and media groups, including the Bangladesh Editors’ Council, warned that the amendments pose a threat to freedom of expression and press independence. Meanwhile, the rights group ‘Ain o Salish Kendra’ reported at least 152 mob-related killings since January in anti-government protests, reflecting growing insecurity.
Despite Yunus’s denial of imposing restrictions, critics argue that the Anti-Terrorism Act has become a political weapon. With elections due in February 2026, observers urge the government to end politically motivated arrests and restore democratic conditions.
Glossary
Alleged – Said to have done something, but not proven yet.
Amendments – Changes or additions made to a law or rule.
Arbitrary – Based on personal choice or unfair decision, not on reason or rules.
Assaulted – Attacked someone physically or violently.
Bail hearing – A court meeting to decide if a person can be released from jail before trial.
Condemn – To strongly say that something is wrong or bad.
Civil Society – a broad term for the "third sector" of society, comprised of non-governmental, non-profit organizations and associations that operate outside of both the state and the market.
Custodial mistreatment – Bad or unfair treatment of people while they are in police or prison custody.
Deposed – Removed from power or position, especially a leader or government.
Detained – Kept in custody or stopped from going free.
Dissent – Disagreement or refusal to accept common ideas or authority.
Due process – Fair legal treatment and proper steps followed by law.
Intervene – To step in or take action to stop or change a situation.
Interim Government – a temporary authority that manages a country until a new, permanent government is established, often through elections or after a crisis.
Mob – A large, sometimes violent, group of people.
Nobel Laureate –a person who has won a Nobel Prize. The Nobel Prizes are awards administered by the Nobel Foundation and granted in accordance with the principle of "for the greatest benefit to humankind"
Political repression – Controlling or punishing people for their political beliefs.
Pose – To create or cause a problem or danger.
Predecessor – A person who had a job or position before someone else.
Prosecution – The legal process of trying to prove someone guilty of a crime.
Suppression – Stopping or preventing something, especially speech or protest.
Sympathizers – a person who agrees with or supports a sentiment, opinion or ideology
Terrorism – The use of violence or fear to achieve political goals.
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