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12 Jul

Religious Persecution/Religion-Based Violence in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has been grappling with communal and religious-based violence since its independence from Pakistan in 1971. Radical Muslim groups and religious fanatics have led to constant deaths, disappearances, conflicts, and […]

1 Jun

LGBTQ+ Rights in Bangladesh

The LGBTQ+ community in Bangladesh faces numerous systemic injustices, including physical and sexual violence, low representation in political and administrative bodies, discrimination in employment policies, and lack of access to medical services. This report aims to present the current situation of the LGBTQ+ community in Bangladesh, which has been largely due to the rise of religious extremism in the country. Despite initial improvements, such as the legal recognition of Hijras in 2013, the position of the LGBTQ+ community deteriorated due to the increasing influence of Islam in the country's public space. In 2016, the government urged to annul the Rainbow Rally celebration, and in the same year, Xulhaz Mannan, founder of Bangladesh's first and only LGBT+-themed magazine "Roopbaan," was killed by assailants associated with al-Qaeda. The number of arrests on the ground of "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" has exponentially increased in recent years, highlighting the ongoing police harassment against LGBTQ+ individuals. The report will analyze the legal, societal, political, and religious elements contributing to violence and discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the ongoing violations of their fundamental human rights.

20 May

Freedom of Speech in Bangladesh

Freedom of expression is a fundamental pillar of democracy, allowing everyone to participate in public affairs. It is recognized at international and national levels, including in international human rights instruments and domestic constitutions. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and this is reiterated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In Bangladesh, the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh aims to build a socialist society based on democratic values, ensuring the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights. However, religion and media owners' influence on journalists hinder the full realization of freedom of expression. The Bangladeshi government's tendency to suppress dissent on social media also violates people's right to information. International organizations and human rights institutions should focus on promoting freedom of expression on social platforms.

1 Feb

International Women’s Day in Bangladesh

This report highlights the human rights violations faced by Bangladeshi women, despite constitutional guarantees of equality. Despite the country’s constitutional guarantee of equality, women still face significant disadvantages, including high […]

1 Jan

The Bangladesh Climate Crisis: Assessing Climate Change Social Impacts

Bangladesh, a predominantly Islamic country in South Asia, is one of the world’s most densely populated and rural countries, with a high dependency on agriculture. However, the country’s high natural […]

1 Aug

Human Rights Violations Against Religious Minority Communities in Bangladesh

The Global Human Rights Defence (ghrd) and Research and Empowerment Organization (REO) have been organizing a global campaign aimed at protecting the human rights of Bangladesh’s minority population. They work […]

1 May

Monthly Report on Human Rights Situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces significant challenges in protecting human rights due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the lockdown, violent attacks by terrorist groups targeting non-muslim communities continue, resulting in various forms of […]

31 Dec

Annual Report 2014: Human Rights in Bangladesh

Global Human Rights Defence (ghrd) reports on the human rights violations against Bangladeshi minorities in 2014, including land grabbing, vandalism, desecration, abductions, forced conversions, and violence. The report highlights the […]

25 Jul

The Invisible Minority: The Situation of the LGBT Community in Bangladesh

The report by Global Human Rights Defence, commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, highlights the challenges faced by the Bangladeshi LGBT community. The report, based on interviews with 50 individuals, aims to examine the experiences of the LGBT community, including discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. The report also highlights the need for a strong LGBT network and movement, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness of sexual orientation and gender identities, creating LGBT networks, and building alliances with non-LGBT communities. The findings provide a basis for future strategies to improve the rights of LGBT people in Bangladesh and internationally. The report highlights the need for a bottom-up approach to community development and the need for a strong LGBT network and movement.

31 Dec

Annual Report 2013: Human Rights in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's human rights situation worsened in 2013 due to government policies that supported singular identity politics. The country's top-down approach, based on Bengali nationalism and Islam as the state religion, has led to conflict and violence among minorities who do not fit into the singular national identity. Minorities remain vulnerable to communal attacks, forced conversions, land grabbing, discrimination, intimidation, and sexual violence. This situation is reinforced by a culture of impunity, corruption, inefficiencies in the judicial system, non-existing constitutional protection for the right to education, rising extremism, and traditions fueling social stigmas towards marginalized groups. The 10th parliamentary elections in 2014 targeted ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Hindus, and the Buddhist community. Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) has been monitoring human rights for religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh since 2003, focusing on sexual minorities since 2012.

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Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) is a dedicated advocate for human rights worldwide. Based in The Hague, the city of peace and justice. We work tirelessly to promote and protect the fundamental rights of individuals and communities. Our mission is to create a more just and equitable world, where every person's dignity and freedoms are upheld. Join us in our journey towards a brighter future for all.

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