Human rights advocacy group Write For Rights has demanded urgent government action to halt a surge in communal violence against religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh, citing over 3,000 documented attacks since August 2024.
In a press release issued on March 16, 2026, the organization condemned the persistent incidents—including at least 50 reported in the aftermath of the February 12 national elections—and accused the BNP-led government of deliberate inaction that undermines the country’s secular foundations and public trust in democratic institutions.
The group referenced data from the Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad (BHBCOP) and other monitoring bodies, which have tracked widespread violence. BHBCOP reports indicate 522 communal attacks in 2025 alone, resulting in 66 murders and 28 cases of rape or sexual violence, alongside temple desecrations and other abuses.
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In the early weeks of 2026, BHBCOP documented 42 additional incidents by late January, including 11 killings and nine attacks on places of worship. The bulk of earlier violence—at least 2,000 incidents—occurred in the chaotic period from August 5-20, 2024, following the political transition.
Probir Kumar Sarker, founder and chairperson of Write For Rights, described the attacks as a “systematic assault on our diverse society, fueled by impunity and political negligence.” He warned that the presence of alleged conspirators and jihadist patrons in parliament dims prospects for justice, drawing parallels to historical patterns of minority persecution. “Unchecked violence threatens Bangladesh’s secular identity,” Sarker stated, adding that the government’s failure to act risks deepening societal divisions and betraying promises of an inclusive nation.
Write For Rights highlighted surveys showing over 50% of religious minorities feeling anxious about voting, with more than 25% considering themselves unsafe in their homes—a “double paradox” where participation invites retaliation and abstention invites smears. The group criticized major political parties for omitting minority protections from election manifestos, calling it “ruthless neglect.” It pointed to cases like the December 2025 lynching of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, beaten and burned over false blasphemy allegations, where limited arrests have failed to disrupt criminal networks.
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The organization issued a series of demands, including:
– Immediate arrests of all perpetrators and exemplary punishments.
– Thorough, impartial investigations into all incidents since August 2024.
– Fair compensation for victims and families.
– Release of minority members held on allegedly false or repressive charges.
– Enactment of a dedicated Minority Protection Act.
– Formation of a Minority Commission and establishment of a Minority Ministry.
– Special security measures, oversight by the National Human Rights Commission, and an end to dismissing incidents as mere “neighbor disputes.”
Write For Rights appealed to national authorities and the international community to prioritize investigations, ensure accountability, and promote genuine communal harmony. The group pledged continued monitoring, legal aid, advocacy, and awareness efforts to support affected communities.