Dhaka, Nov 5 – A coalition of 15 international human‑rights groups and bar councils blasted the Bangladesh interim government for a “politically motivated” crackdown on lawyers. The joint statement, released Wednesday, accuses Mr. Muhammad Yunus’s administration of targeting legal professionals only for doing their jobs or for holding political views.
The groups point to data from the Paris‑based Justicemakers Bangladesh (JMBF), which logged 268 confirmed incidents of harassment against 849 lawyers between August 2024 and September 2025. In those cases, the lawyers were accused of everything from murder and sabotage to seditious conspiracy and extortion – charges the report says are fabricated to silence dissent.
“Lawyers are being coordinatedly attacked by the interim government,” the statement reads. It describes a “campaign orchestrated by Yunus and his allies” that undermines the independence of the legal profession, blocks justice, and threatens the rule of law.
The report highlights that 88 % of all incidents involve lawyers linked to the Bangladesh Awami League (BAL). In numbers, 236 incidents affected 795 lawyers, or 93 % of all victims. The coalition says this shows a deliberate effort to neutralise pro‑BAL attorneys and jam the justice system.
The groups urge Yunus’s government to stop all persecution, release imprisoned lawyers, and drop all charges immediately. They also call for stronger protection against harassment, intimidation, and violence so lawyers can work without fear.
International bodies are being asked for help. The statement appeals to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and other global bar associations to monitor the situation and support Bangladeshi lawyers at risk.
The crackdown on attorneys has drawn sharp criticism from human‑rights advocates worldwide and signals a troubling trend of political interference in the legal system in Bangladesh.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
