Have extrajudicial killings continued under Bangladesh's Yunus government?

"When Sheikh Hasina was ousted as Bangladesh's prime minister in August 2024 after a student-led uprising, many in the country believed the darkest days of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings were finally over. The interim administration, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, sworn in on August 8 last year, arrived on promises of justice, reform and an end to state violence."

"From 2009 when Hasina came back to power after six years spent out of office to 2022, Bangladesh's security forces are accused of having killed at least 2,597 people through extrajudicial executions, custodial torture or by opening fire on protesters, an analysis of human rights data suggests. Human rights excesses under Hasina were a major trigger for the mass protests that culminated in her ouster."

"But according to Odhikar's latest report, extrajudicial killings have claimed at least 40 lives from August 2024 to September 2025 under the Yunus-led interim government. The victims were shot, tortured in custody or beaten to death methods chillingly reminiscent of the previous government. The victims included political activists, detainees held without warrants, alleged criminals and citizens caught in security operations, according to the report, based on information from human rights defenders affiliated with Odhikar as well as information and data published across various media outlets."

Unlawful killings and enforced disappearances have persisted in Bangladesh more than a year after Sheikh Hasina's removal, with systemic impunity remaining largely intact. Security forces are accused of at least 2,597 extrajudicial deaths from 2009 to 2022 and at least 40 deaths from August 2024 to September 2025 under the Yunus-led interim government. Victims included political activists, detainees held without warrants, alleged criminals and civilians caught in operations. Methods reported include shootings, custodial torture and beatings to death. The continued abuses raise concerns ahead of February parliamentary elections and about accountability and rule of law.

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