Bangladesh recorded a sharp surge in human rights violations across multiple categories in the first half of 2026, according to a report by the Dhaka-based Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). The findings, cited by leading Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star, document alarming rises in violence against women, children, minorities, journalists, and prisoners between January and June 2026.

Violence Against Women and Children

The HRSS documented 1,621 cases of violence against women and girls in the first six months of 2026 — a 56 per cent rise from the 1,042 cases recorded during the same period in 2025. Among the victims, 404 were rape survivors, including 238 children and adolescent girls. Of these, 88 were gang-raped, 17 were killed after being raped, and one died by suicide.

Additionally, 473 women and girls — including 173 children — faced sexual harassment. Domestic violence accounted for 320 deaths, 211 injuries, and 147 suicides, compared with 166 deaths, 27 injuries, and 72 suicides in the corresponding period last year.

Child abuse cases also climbed sharply, with 1,077 children recorded as victims in the first half of 2026. Of these, 305 were killed and 772 suffered physical or mental torture — up from 673 total cases, including 132 deaths, during the same period in 2025.

Attacks on Minorities Spike Fivefold

The HRSS recorded 50 incidents of violence against minority communities in the first half of 2026, leaving 56 people injured. This represents a dramatic rise from 10 attacks and four injuries during the same period last year. The incidents included attacks on 19 temples, vandalism of 15 idols and 43 houses, four land-grabbing cases, and the gang rape of an indigenous woman.

This comes amid broader concerns about the safety of religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh, where such incidents have drawn repeated condemnation from civil society groups.

Mob Violence and Political Clashes

Mob violence incidents surged to 261 in the first half of 2026, resulting in 133 deaths and 256 injuries — nearly double the 141 incidents, 67 deaths, and 119 injuries recorded in the first six months of 2025.

Political violence also intensified, with 830 incidents leaving 56 dead and 5,246 injured. Separately, 396 incidents of electoral violence — tied to the 13th national election held in February 2026 — resulted in 13 deaths and 2,578 injuries. Over 600 businesses, houses, and election offices were reportedly attacked, vandalised, looted, or set ablaze during the election period.

Press Freedom and Custodial Deaths

Attacks on journalists rose sharply, with 200 incidents of harassment or assault affecting 383 media workers — a 32 per cent increase in incidents and a 49 per cent rise in journalists affected compared with the same period last year, when 152 cases involving 257 journalists were reported.

Custodial deaths also climbed, with 58 prisoners dying in jails nationwide — including 26 convicted prisoners and 32 detainees — marking a 45 per cent increase from 40 fatalities in the same period of 2025.

HRSS Recommendations

The Human Rights Support Society called for zero-tolerance policies on mob violence, speedy trials in cases involving violence against women and children, stronger victim protection measures, safeguards for press freedom, and reform of cyber laws in line with human rights principles. Whether the government acts on these recommendations will be closely watched in the months ahead.