Bangladesh
Bangladesh performs at a low level in three Global State of Democracy categories (Representation, Rights and Rule of Law) and at a mid-range level in Participation. Over the past five years, it has experienced declines in Elected Government and Judicial Independence. The country’s economy largely depends on agriculture (primarily rice, jute and tea) – with almost half the population employed in the sector - while the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) industry and overseas migrant workers’ remittances are also major contributors. Despite decades of political instability, there has been significant progress in Basic Welfare since the 1980s. Bangladesh is one of the world’s most populous countries and hosts one of the largest refugee camps in the world, housing approximately one million Rohingyas from Myanmar since 2017. The low-lying country is also amongst the most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
Modern-day Bangladesh came to be in 1971, after a violent war of independence (the ‘Bangladeshi Liberation War’) from what was then West Pakistan (current Pakistan). The war was rooted in desires for political autonomy from the geographically, culturally and ideologically distanced West Pakistan. Following independence in 1971, authoritarian rule and military dictatorships were the norm until holding of the first multi-party democratic elections in 1991. Bangladeshi politics have since been dominated by two dynastic parties – the Awami League and the Bangladesh National Party – whose protracted acrimonious rivalry has stalled – and continues to stall - democratic reforms. The prospects for democratic consolidation are further complicated by elections marred by limited competitiveness, boycotts, violence, fraud and irregularities. Other governance concerns include systemic corruption, insufficient resources, nepotism, and weak oversight mechanisms. These problems pervade all organs of government and are especially rampant in the RMG, health and environment sectors. Amidst these challenges, Rohingya refugees also suffer from lack of a legal status and have limited access to basic services and livelihood opportunities.
Although Bangladesh is founded as a secular state, Islam became the state religion in 1988. Political parties maintain divergent views on state-Islam relations, while still appealing to Islamic religious sentiments for political gain. Bangladesh is also home to Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and other religious minorities and a total of 54 indigenous groups. These groups are politically and socio-economically marginalized, experience discrimination in accessing basic state services, land extortion and higher poverty rates than the national average. Communal violence against minorities remains a serious issue, with incidents of religious intolerance and conflict tearing at the fabric of Bangladeshi society.
The government has also been responsible for enforced disappearances of political opponents and human rights activists and violations of freedom of expression and other civil rights. Moreover, while the nation has made strides in women’s empowerment and gender equality, women’s representation in politics remains limited despite the unique experience of having been led by two separate female prime ministers over the past three decades. Child marriage and gender-based violence remain key problems.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch Judicial Independence and Civil Liberties in light of the increased use of laws to curtail free speech online, such as the Digital Security Act. Representation will need to be monitored in light of recent discussions on prospects for free and fair general elections and the need for an independent and effective election commission.
Monthly Event Reports
January 2024 | Sheikh Hasina secures fourth straight term in general election
On 7 January, Sheikh Hasina secured her fourth consecutive term as prime minister when her party, the Awami League (AL), won 223 of 300 parliamentary seats. Independent candidates, most of them allied to AL won 62 seats, while the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted the vote. The Chief Election Commissioner reported voter turnout was 40.99 per cent, compared with 80.00 per cent in the last election in 2018. Preliminary results indicate that despite a record high 5.1 per cent of female candidates, only 20 out of 299 contested seats were won by women (a decrease from 22 in 2018), with an additional 50 reserved seats for women to be determined in March. The election was marred by violence and repression of opposition candidates and supporters in the lead-up to and on election day. Voting irregularities were reported across several polling centres, causing voting there to be postponed. Independent election monitors from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) noted that the elections were “neither genuine nor competitive.”
November 2023 | Systematic crackdown on opposition amid “unfair” election concerns
Several opposition parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have formally announced their boycott of the upcoming general election set for 7 January 2024. The parties had earlier refused to submit candidate nominations on the last day of the filing period. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed her party members to set up “dummy candidates” in uncontested seats, which some political analysts criticize as a move toward making the election appear inclusive and competitive. Rights experts have questioned the possibility of a free and fair election amid reports of an ongoing "systematic crackdown on opposition members." Human Rights Watch notes that nearly 10,000 activists have been arrested by Bangladesh authorities since 28 October, with key opposition leaders and supporters targeted.
October 2023 | Repression on protests intensified
Three months ahead of the general election, protests are escalating as rights groups accuse Bangladesh police of using excessive force during political demonstrations on 28 October. Amnesty International describes it as a "complete clampdown on dissent," while the Daily Star reported that the developments have raised “the spectre of violence in the lead-up to national election.” Human Rights Watch reported violent clashes between Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters resulted in at least 11 deaths, hundreds injured, and the subsequent arrest of a key BNP opposition leader. The BNP alleged that over 1,500 opposition members were arrested before the rally. Media outlets have said the protest was the biggest rally this year, with tens of thousands of protesters calling for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. United Nations authorities have urged the government to show restraint in the lead-up to the January 2024 election.
September 2023 | Government passes Cyber Security Act 2023
On 13 September, parliament approved the Cyber Security Act (CSA) 2023, aimed at preventing cybercrime and the spread of false information. The CSA replaces the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA) 2018. Concerns have been raised by the United States and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) due to the rapid passage of the bill, which appears to have ignored input from various stakeholders. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman pointed out that the bill was introduced in parliament on 5 September and passed in just eight days, facilitated by the ruling party's overwhelming majority. Critics argue that while some non-bailable provisions from the DSA have been made bailable and sentences reduced, the bill still contains repressive elements from the DSA. These include vague definitions of offences and provisions for potentially misused arrests. Opposition lawmakers have dubbed it "old wine in a new bottle." Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen encouraged stakeholders to review the act before passing judgment, emphasizing that it has considered all perspectives. The Act has not yet been publicly disclosed.
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