Rights body urges B’desh to end indefinite pre-trial detention of Awami League leaders

New York, Aug 24 (IANS) Human Rights Watch (HRW), a US-based advocacy group, has called on Bangladeshi authorities to take immediate steps to end the prolonged pre-trial detention of politicians and others linked to the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, alleging that hundreds remain in prison without being charged with any crime.

The HRW noted that police detained thousands of party officials, activists, and supporters after Hasina was ousted in August 2024 following weeks of violent protests.

It highlighted that as many as 10 Awami League office holders, most of whom were not charged with any crime, have died in prison since Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office in February 2026.

According to HRW, the family members and lawyers of the detainees alleged that many of them, including older people and those with serious health conditions, have been denied basic rights such as bail and medical care.

“Under one government after another, hundreds of opposition members have been locked up without evidence or due process. The government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged reform, and as a first step he should end the prolonged arbitrary detention of political opponents,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at HRW.

The rights body criticised the ruling BNP government’s new National Human Rights Commission bill, saying that, if adopted in its current form, it would strip the new commission of the power to investigate alleged arbitrary arrests.

“Those detained without charge include former Awami League members of parliament, other former lawmakers that supported Hasina’s administration, and activists, officials, and journalists who had backed the Awami League government. Others, including members of the security forces, are accused of serious international crimes including extrajudicial killings, torture, and disappearances. Some are also accused of corruption,” the HRW stated.

The rights body further said that prosecutors have repeatedly opposed bail despite the absence of evidence in the cases.

Additionally, it said, lower magistrate and district courts in Bangladesh have continued to deny bail, while High Court orders granting bail have been circumvented as government authorities file fresh cases.

Expressing grave concern over the continued detention and custodial deaths, HRW said that a judge or other competent authority should review the detention of every detainee to determine its legality and necessity. It said that any pre-trial restrictions must be consistent with the right to liberty, the presumption of innocence, and the right to equality.

“A justice system that lets older people die in custody before they are ever charged is not treating pre-trial detention as the exceptional measure it always should be. The Bangladeshi government should order independent inquiries into all prison deaths under its watch and stop arbitrarily detaining people for prolonged periods without charge,” said Pearson, Asia director at HRW

–IANS

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