Yunus's Interim Government Struggles to Uphold Human Rights as Political Challenges Mount

The interim government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel Prize winner Mohammed Yunus, is under scrutiny for its inability to advance its human rights agenda, a year after massive protests led to the overthrow of an authoritarian regime. Human Rights Watch reported Thursday that although significant abuses under the previous government have halted, new issues have arisen.

Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director, Meenakshi Ganguly, emphasized that the aspirations for a rights-respecting democracy remain unmet. The interim administration struggles with a resistant security sector and politically motivated vengeance instead of focusing on safeguarding human rights.

Though several reform commissions were established, and recommendations were made by national and international entities, key systemic changes are stalled. Reported incidents of mob and political violence, harassment, and arbitrary detentions of political opponents underscore ongoing challenges. The global community and the UN have been called upon to impose sanctions and ensure continued pressure for reform.

(With inputs from agencies.)