TDS Desk:

At least 197 people were killed in incidents of mob violence and serious human rights violations across Bangladesh in 2025, according to a report published by human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).

In its annual report titled Human Rights Situation in Bangladesh 2025: Observations of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), released on Wednesday (31 December), the organisation said the figure marks a sharp rise compared to the same period last year, when at least 128 people were killed in mob violence.

The report, prepared based on monitoring of national media reports, ASK’s own observations, information collection and on-site investigations, also stated that at least 293 people were killed in mob violence during the tenure of the interim government.

According to ASK, victims included women, men, religious minorities and marginalised groups. Additionally, among those targeted were freedom fighters and members of the Baul community.

The report said several people were subjected to brutal attacks, while others were harassed, beaten or humiliated.

District-wise data showed that 27 people were killed in Dhaka, followed by 17 in Gazipur, 11 in Narayanganj, 9 in Chattogram and 8 in Cumilla.

Six deaths were reported each in Mymensingh, Barishal, Noakhali, Gaibandha and Shariatpur, while five people each were killed in Lakshmipur and Sirajganj. Four deaths each were recorded in Narsingdi and Jashore.

ASK noted that incidents of mass beatings were particularly high in August and September 2025 compared to other months.

While some political leaders and activists were among those killed, the organisation said most victims were ordinary citizens with no political affiliation.

The report further stated that at least seven members of the Hindu community, three women and one visually impaired person were among

those killed in mob violence, highlighting the disproportionate impact on socially vulnerable groups and describing the situation as a serious human rights concern.

ASK said most incidents of mob violence were centred on political dissent, religious extremism, rumours and attempts to assert dominance.

The organisation noted that under the banner of “Tauhidi Janata”, mobs vandalised several landmarks and centres of arts and literature linked to Bangladesh’s history, while women and dissenters were also harassed.

The report also documented 38 incidents of extrajudicial killings by law enforcement agencies in 2025.

Of these, 26 people were killed through physical torture, while in the custody of joint forces, or in so-called “shootouts” or gunfights.

At least 12 others died in the custody of law enforcement agencies at police stations across the country. In comparison, 21 people were killed in extrajudicial killings in 2024.

ASK further reported that at least 107 people died in prisons across the country in 2025. Among them, 69 were detainees and 38 were convicts.

Dhaka Central Jail recorded the highest number of deaths at 38, followed by Gazipur with seven deaths.

The remaining deaths occurred in other prisons. In 2024, a total of 65 people died in prisons, including 42 detainees and 23 convicts.

Referring to attacks on Prothom Alo and Daily Star on 18 December, ASK said the planned assault, vandalism and arson at the offices were unprecedented.

The organisation said journalists and employees faced extreme insecurity during the attacks, while allegations of obstruction of fire service vehicles and personnel further worsened the situation. As a result, the printed editions of both newspapers could not be published, and their online editions remained closed for a day.

ASK described the incidents as a direct and serious blow to freedom of expression and press freedom.

Highlighting broader concerns, ASK said, “Freedom of expression in Bangladesh remains fragile. When dissent leads to fear of state force, criminal cases or arrests, it not only violates individual rights but also narrows democratic space.”

The organisation warned that continued criminalisation of expression could severely obstruct independent thought, journalism and academic freedom.

According to ASK, at least 401 incidents of political violence occurred in 2025, leaving around 4,844 people injured and 102 killed.

The report also recorded torture and harassment of at least 381 journalists during the year.

Among them, at least 23 journalists were tortured, harassed or threatened by law enforcement agencies, while 20 received death threats.

At least 123 journalists faced lawsuits related to published news or opinions, and 118 were attacked while carrying out professional duties.

During the same period, three journalists were killed by miscreants, and the bodies of four journalists were recovered under mysterious circumstances from different parts of the country.

District-wise data showed that the highest number of journalists facing torture or harassment were in Dhaka (92), followed by Chattogram (53), Gazipur (20), Rangpur (21), Cumilla (21) and Barishal (12). The remaining 162 journalists were from other districts.

ASK also documented 42 incidents of attacks on the Hindu community in 2025.

These included damage to 33 houses, arson attacks on 36 homesteads, attacks on four temples, vandalism of 64 idols and nine incidents of land grabbing.

One person was killed and at least 15 were injured. During the same period, one attack on a Buddhist temple was also reported.

The organisation said attacks on religious minority communities often took place through the formation of mobs, sometimes targeting individuals and, in other cases, entire communities through vandalism, arson and looting.