Human Rights Watch (HRW), the New York-based international advocacy group, has sounded a sharp alarm over the arbitrary punishment of academics and students at public universities in Bangladesh, citing what it describes as politically motivated sanctions against individuals perceived to be affiliated with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party.

What HRW Found

According to HRW, the sanctions — including dismissals, suspensions, and restrictions on teaching — are premised on allegations of complicity in violence during the Awami League government's tenure, which was ousted following violent student-led protests in 2024. Additional charges reportedly include involvement in so-called 'subversive' activities in support of Hasina's party, and discrimination against students wearing Islamic clothing.

The rights body further noted that hundreds of students, allegedly Awami League members or supporters, are also facing expulsion — a measure it says denies them their fundamental right to education.

Scale of the Crackdown

Citing recent media reports, HRW said at least 404 academics across 22 universities, who were part of a pro-Awami League Telegram messaging group, have been placed under investigation. At Dhaka University — the country's most prestigious institution — newly appointed authorities ordered 44 academics to cease work and restricted the teaching assignments of another 25 starting September 2024, reportedly without any transparent or credible disciplinary process. Subsequently, six of those academics were formally 'temporarily suspended' following an inquiry committee's findings, with investigations now under way against an additional 14 teachers.

An unidentified professor at a public university in Bangladesh, whose name was withheld by HRW for security reasons, was quoted as saying: 'What is happening now is that the university authorities are targeting with false allegations, the group of teachers who are aligned to the Awami League and did not support the 2024 student movement. We are not allowed to go take classes, we cannot do research work; we cannot do anything.'

Human Rights Law Concerns

Meenakshi Ganguly, Deputy Asia Director at HRW, stated: 'Any acts of revenge against people who peacefully supported the previous government would show that freedoms of speech and assembly are not protected. Universities should be places where people are free to express their views, not places where support is enforced for the government of the day.'

The organisation argued that punishing individuals for their peaceful beliefs, or without ensuring due process, would constitute a violation of rights to freedom of expression and association under international human rights law.

Continuity Across Administrations

Notably, the crackdown is not limited to a single political moment. The actions against teachers and students reportedly began under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration and have continued under the current ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, raising sustained concerns about academic freedom across university campuses in the country. Critics argue this continuity suggests institutional complicity rather than a one-off political episode.

What Happens Next

With investigations now expanded to 404 more academics and expulsions of students reportedly ongoing, the trajectory of academic freedom in Bangladesh will likely face greater international scrutiny. HRW has not indicated whether it has formally engaged Bangladeshi authorities, but the public nature of its findings signals a push for accountability that the BNP government will be under pressure to address.