New Report Reveals Widespread Academic Exclusion, Politically Motivated Disciplinary Measures, Campus Violence, Arbitrary Arrests and Discrimination Since August 2024
Paris, France | 10 November 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), an independent international human rights organisation based in Paris, today released its Special Report titled “Persecution of Teachers and Students in Bangladesh’s Higher Education Sector: Academic Exclusion, Coercion and the Struggle for Justice and Accountability (August 2024–October 2026)”, documenting serious human rights violations affecting teachers, academics and students across Bangladesh.According to JMBF's verified and documented information, at least 2,051 individuals, including 1,569 students and 482 teachers and academics, have experienced politically motivated persecution across 229 higher education institutions between August 2024 and October 2026, solely due to their political affiliations with the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated wings, as well as their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
The report reveals disturbing patterns of academic exclusion, politically motivated disciplinary measures, physical attacks, intimidation, criminal proceedings, restrictions on examinations, forced resignations, residential expulsions and discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation.
The findings raise serious concerns about the erosion of academic freedom, institutional independence, equal protection before the law and the fundamental right to education in Bangladesh.
Key Findings: A Higher Education Sector Under Pressure
JMBF's investigation identifies widespread and overlapping patterns of persecution affecting students and academic professionals.
- 2,051 verified victims: 1,569 students (76.5%) and 482 teachers and academics (23.5%) across 229 institutions.
- 575 students experienced informal academic exclusion, preventing or restricting their ability to participate in education.
- 219 students experienced residential hall or hostel exclusion, threatening their ability to continue studying.
- 576 students were affected in cases involving mobs or unidentified attackers.
- 132 teachers experienced academic boycotts or exclusion from professional activities.
- 121 teachers faced criminal cases or prosecution, while 107 were subjected to inquiries or investigations.
- 86 teachers experienced physical assault, and 24 were dismissed from their positions.
- More than 100 students and former students were reportedly arrested or taken into custody in connection with examinations, according to broader monitoring information.
- More than 10,000 students and former students affiliated with the Awami League were reportedly arrested or taken into police custody.
- More than 100,000 students and former students with actual, alleged or imputed Bangladesh Chhatra League affiliations may have experienced politically motivated persecution or serious interference with their educational lives.
The report also identifies discriminatory treatment related to actual or perceived sexual orientation, including allegations of humiliation, privacy violations, coercive questioning and institutional punishment.
These categories may overlap because some individuals experienced multiple forms of persecution. The broader monitoring figures are estimates rather than independently verified national totals of unique individuals. They may overlap with the verified records and must not be added together.
One of the most alarming findings concerns the alleged targeting of teachers and students because of their actual or perceived political opinions or affiliations, particularly connections with the Bangladesh Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The report documents cases in which students faced exclusion from campuses, residential accommodation and examinations, while teachers experienced professional boycotts, disciplinary proceedings, criminal allegations and pressure to resign.
JMBF stresses that political affiliation alone cannot establish individual responsibility for misconduct. Any disciplinary or criminal action must be supported by credible evidence, fair procedures and an effective opportunity to respond.
Speaking on the release of the Special Report, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), stated:
“Universities must be centres of knowledge, freedom and critical thinking—not places of political revenge, intimidation and discrimination. It is deeply alarming that thousands of teachers and students in Bangladesh have allegedly been subjected to persecution simply because of their actual or perceived political affiliations with the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated student wings, or because of their personal identities.”
He also added, “Our verified documentation of 2,051 victims across 229 higher education institutions reveals a deeply disturbing crisis of academic freedom and fundamental human rights. Behind every number is a student whose future has been disrupted, a teacher whose career has been threatened, and a family struggling with fear and uncertainty.”
He further stated, “No student should lose the right to education because of political identity, and no teacher should lose their livelihood for holding a different political opinion. Political affiliation is not a crime, academic freedom is not a privilege, and education must never become an instrument of collective punishment.”
JMBF Demands:
JMBF calls upon the Government of Bangladesh, university administrations, law-enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to take immediate action to end discriminatory practices and restore the rights of affected teachers and students.
JMBF specifically urges the authorities to:
- Immediately end politically motivated academic exclusion, intimidation, violence and discriminatory disciplinary measures.
- Ensure safe and unrestricted access to education, examinations, campuses and residential facilities for all eligible students.
- Establish independent and impartial mechanisms to review contested suspensions, expulsions, dismissals and other institutional sanctions.
- Investigate all allegations of physical attacks, mob violence, coercion, unlawful detention and abuses involving law-enforcement personnel.
- Protect academic freedom and institutional independence from political interference and intimidation.
- Prevent discrimination based on political opinion, affiliation, actual or perceived sexual orientation or other protected status.
- Restore educational and professional opportunities to individuals subjected to unjustified restrictions, with effective remedies and appropriate compensation.
- Ensure accountability for those responsible for established violations through independent investigations and fair legal proceedings.
- Provide accessible complaint mechanisms and protection against retaliation for victims, witnesses and complainants.
- Invite meaningful international scrutiny, including engagement with relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms, to address the documented concerns.
JMBF further urges the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, UNESCO, the European Union and international human rights organisations to examine the findings and encourage concrete protective measures.
JMBF warns that the consequences of persecution extend far beyond individual students and teachers. Interrupted education, damaged careers, weakened institutional independence and an atmosphere of fear threaten the credibility and future of Bangladesh's higher education system.
Universities must remain places of learning, critical thinking, academic independence and equal opportunity—not instruments of political punishment or discrimination.
JMBF calls for urgent national and international action to ensure that every student can study and every teacher can teach without fear, intimidation or discrimination.
READ & DOWNLOAD THE FULL SPECIAL REPORT (ENGLISH PDF): https://www.jmbf.org/2026/11/bangladesh-teachers-students-persecution-report-2026.html
In Solidarity
Assistant Secretary General
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
CNB Premises
180 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France
Email: info@jmbf.org | Website: www.jmbf.org
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JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan international human rights organization registered in France under the French Association Law of 1901 (Registration No. W931027714), committed to defending human rights, promoting social justice, and empowering marginalised communities in Bangladesh and beyond. JMBF is officially registered in the European Union Transparency Register (REG No. 0635235105176-78).
