The Bangladesh Human Rights Foundation (BHRF) has expressed grave concern over a sharp rise in mob lynchings, custodial deaths, sexual violence against women and children, and online harassment across the country, warning that these trends reflect a growing erosion of the rule of law and a culture of impunity.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026, BHRF Chairperson Advocate Elina Khan and Secretary General Advocate Zia Habib Ahsan highlighted that 10 people have been killed in 8 separate mob lynching incidents over the past 15 days, bringing October's total death toll from vigilantism to at least 15. Citing recent incidents—such as the killing of two individuals over suspected auto-rickshaw theft in Rangpur's Gangachara—the BHRF leaders emphasized that taking the law into one's own hands is a severe violation of human rights and due process.
Read nextPetrobangla Announces 4-Day Nationwide Low Gas Pressure Due to Maintenance at Summit LNG TerminalThe human rights organization also raised serious alarm regarding sexual abuse and violence against children in educational and religious institutions. Pointing to recent reports of child abuse in madrassas across several regions, including the sexual assault of a 7-year-old child in Tongi and an attempted assault on a 5-year-old in Faridpur's Boalkhali, Advocate Elina Khan urged authorities to establish foolproof security, transparent reporting channels, and swift penal action to protect children. Furthermore, BHRF drew attention to a study indicating that 45.5% of surveyed women face technology-facilitated gender-based violence, predominantly on Facebook and Messenger, calling for robust legal frameworks and public awareness campaigns to combat online blackmail and data misuse.
The statement additionally condemned attacks on political party offices and the physical assault on IEDCR Director Prof. Dr. Kazi Ahmed Zakir inside his office, stressing that institutional security and professional freedom must be protected through impartial investigations regardless of political affiliations.
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Reported by Staff Reporter • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
