The Big Picture
Six months after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, is facing mounting challenges. The administration, backed by the military, is struggling with political unrest, a fragile economy, human rights concerns, and growing demands for elections.
Hasina was forced out in August 2024 following a student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule. While the interim government promised reforms, tensions remain high, with opposition parties and activists questioning its ability to stabilize the country.
Political Tensions on the Rise
Hasina’s party, the Awami League, has called for nationwide protests in February, including a general strike.
Anti-Hasina student activists and opposition groups stormed and demolished the historic home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding leader and Hasina’s father.
From exile in India, Hasina continues to speak out online and in leaked phone recordings, vowing to return despite criminal charges related to the deaths of protesters during the uprising.
The interim government has requested Hasina’s extradition from India, but New Delhi has not responded. Interpol has also been asked to arrest her.
Human Rights Concerns
Thousands of Hasina’s supporters, including party leaders and former ministers, have been arrested. Many others remain in hiding or have fled the country.
The student wing of Hasina’s party, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, has been banned.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported a “disturbing pattern of security force abuses” targeting opposition members and journalists.
The interim government abolished Hasina’s controversial Cyber Security Act but replaced it with a new ordinance that HRW says retains many of the same repressive elements.
Media watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), accuse the government of suppressing independent media. Authorities deny any crackdown.
Islamist Groups and Security Challenges
Islamist groups have become more visible since Hasina’s removal, raising concerns about growing extremism.
Around 700 prisoners remain at large following mass jailbreaks during the student-led uprising, including at least 70 radical Islamists and death row convicts.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has accused the government of failing to protect religious and ethnic minorities from violence and harassment. The government insists that most recent attacks were politically motivated rather than religiously driven.
Calls for Reform and Elections
The interim government has set up six commissions to reform key sectors, including the electoral system, law enforcement, and public administration. Their reports are expected to be shared with the public in the coming weeks.
The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is demanding urgent elections, arguing that major reforms should be handled by an elected government.
The student-led movement that helped oust Hasina, as well as the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed willingness to allow time for reforms before elections take place.
Yunus has pledged to hold elections either by December 2025 or as early as June, but growing opposition pressure may force an earlier vote.
What’s Next?
The coming months will be crucial for Bangladesh as political uncertainty deepens. The Yunus-led government faces a tough balancing act—delivering promised reforms while managing growing unrest. With opposition groups mobilizing and demands for elections increasing, Bangladesh’s political future remains uncertain.
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