Wednesday, June 26, 2024

JMBF Publishes Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023

Paris, France, June 26, 2024 : JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has published the Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023 today, coinciding with the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This meticulously documented report highlights 148 incidents of torture, extrajudicial killings, and inhumane treatment and degrading behavior in Bangladesh by Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) throughout 2023. Based on continuous monitoring of online news media published from Bangladesh and abroad, this report reveals a disturbing trend of human rights violations by LEAs, impacting a total of 1,842 individuals.

You can read and download the full summary report visit by JMBF Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023

Key Findings:

Incidents and Victims: JMBF recorded 31 incidents leading to 34 deaths, 108 incidents resulting in physical injuries to 1,788 individuals, and 9 incidents of inhumane and degrading behavior affecting 20 individuals.

Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs): A total of 148 incidents of human rights violations were attributed to LEAs, with 132 incidents affecting 1,783 males and 16 incidents victimizing 59 females.

Regional Breakdown: Dhaka Division reported the highest number of human rights violations with 72 incidents affecting 1,058 victims. Chittagong Division followed with 30 incidents impacting 192 victims.

Political Targeting: The main opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), faced 51 incidents resulting in 1,453 leaders, activists, and supporters being victimized. The ruling Bangladesh Awami League experienced 5 incidents affecting 6 activists, and other political parties faced 6 incidents victimizing 20 individuals.

Professional Targeting: Politicians, farmers, garment workers, students, businessmen, lawyers, journalists, and individuals of unknown professions were targeted across various incidents, with 6 incidents affecting 107 garment workers, 4 incidents impacting 62 lawyers, 13 incidents involving 33 journalists, and 13 incidents targeting 32 politicians.

Methods of Violence: LEAs employed gun shootings, physical torture, and inhumane treatment or degrading behavior, resulting in deaths, severe physical injuries, and psychological trauma. Gun shootings accounted for 40 incidents affecting 818 victims, while physical torture was the most frequent method, with 93 incidents resulting in 729 victims.

Extrajudicial Killings: 

A total of 31 incidents of extrajudicial killings resulted in 34 deaths. The highest number of incidents occurred in Dhaka Division (14 incidents, 16 deaths) and Chittagong Division (11 incidents, 12 deaths).

Political affiliation of victims shows a concerning pattern, with BNP members being targeted in 8 incidents resulting in 9 deaths, while non-political individuals were affected in 20 incidents resulting in 22 deaths.

Limited Legal Recourse:

Only 10 victims or their family members were able to file criminal cases against the perpetrators. The remaining 128 incidents involving 1,832 victims did not result in legal action due to intimidation and other barriers.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Founder President Advocate Shahanur Islam urges the Bangladesh government to conduct immediate and thorough investigations into these human rights violations, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure justice for the victims.

JMBF also calls on the international community to take notice of these alarming trends and support efforts to uphold human rights and the rule of law in Bangladesh.

Thank you.


Advocate Shahanur Islam 
Founder President 
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) 
Email: shahanur.islam@jmbf.org 
Mobile: +33(0)7 83 95 23 15

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