As the world continues to turn a blind eye, systemic political persecution is tightening its grip across Bangladesh under the rule of the Yunus regime. What is unfolding is not simply a crackdown on dissent, but a coordinated campaign of intimidation and violence—one that now targets not only opposition voices, but also the innocent families of those affiliated with the Awami League.
Kamrul Hasan, publicity and publication affairs secretary of an upazila unit of the Awami League in Chittagong, now finds his family devastated. His elderly mother, a woman uninvolved in any political activity and without a criminal record, was left grievously injured in a targeted attack on their home. The shocking images of her battered body, along with videos capturing the violent vandalism of their residence, paint a chilling portrait of state-sanctioned terror.
This incident is not isolated. Across the country, similar scenes are playing out with disturbing frequency. Homes are raided, properties are looted, and relatives—often elderly or children—are harassed, beaten, or worse. Their only “crime”: association, real or perceived, with the political opposition to the current regime.
Under Yunus’s leadership, what once resembled a functioning democracy is collapsing into authoritarian rule cloaked in the veneer of legitimacy. Political repression has become a hallmark of the regime, with entire communities subjected to violence for their affiliation or loyalty to the Awami League. The crackdown is not limited to political figures—ordinary citizens, especially families, are bearing the brunt of retribution.
Perhaps most distressing is the deafening silence from international rights organizations. Despite mounting evidence—including testimonies, photo and video documentation, and firsthand reports—the global human rights community has largely failed to condemn these abuses. This silence stands in stark contrast to their vocal advocacy in other regions, revealing a troubling double standard when it comes to political violence in Bangladesh.
The Yunus regime’s impunity is being nourished by this global indifference. As international allies prioritize geopolitical interests over human rights, they embolden a government that has made suppression of dissent and fear-mongering its primary tools of governance.
If the international community is truly committed to defending freedom, democracy, and justice, then it must recognize these acts for what they are: grave violations of human rights. It must also confront the uncomfortable truth—that their tacit support or indifference is enabling one of the most disturbing patterns of political violence unfolding in South Asia today.