Bangladesh: HRW Calls for End to Prolonged Pretrial Detention of Political Opponents

Rights group urges independent investigations into prison deaths, fair trials and an end to arbitrary arrests. Human Rights Watch has called on Bangladesh’s authorities to end what it described as prolonged and arbitrary pretrial detention of politicians, activists and others linked to the former Awami League government, urging the government to ensure fair-trial rights and investigate deaths in custody.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the rights group said hundreds of people arrested after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced from office in August 2024 remained in prison without being formally charged with crimes.

Human Rights Watch acknowledged that some officials may have been involved in serious rights violations under Hasina’s government, but said many others had been arrested over allegations of killing protesters without apparent evidence.

Families and lawyers of detainees have alleged that many prisoners, including elderly people and those suffering from serious health problems, have been denied bail and adequate medical treatment, the group said.

At least 10 Awami League office holders, most of whom had not been charged with crimes, have died in custody since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office in February 2026, according to Human Rights Watch.

“Under one government after another, hundreds of opposition members have been locked up without evidence or due process,” Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in the statement.

“The government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged reform, and as a first step he should end the prolonged arbitrary detention of political opponents,” she said.

Concerns over repeated cases and bail

Human Rights Watch said prosecutors have repeatedly opposed bail applications even in cases where evidence has not been presented.

It also alleged that authorities have sometimes filed fresh cases against detainees after higher courts granted bail, effectively preventing their release.

The rights group cited the case of former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque, 82, who was arrested in July 2025 over allegations relating to the killing of a protester.

According to Human Rights Watch, he was subsequently arrested in several additional cases, including corruption allegations. Lower courts repeatedly rejected his bail applications, while the High Court granted bail in some cases.

Police later filed additional cases against him, according to the group. Haque was eventually released on Aug. 19 after intervention by the Appellate Division.

Human Rights Watch said lawyers representing other detainees had told the organization that they sometimes advise clients not to seek bail because authorities may file new cases following a successful bail application.

International Crimes Tribunal under scrutiny

The rights group also raised concerns about detention practices at Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, which prosecutes international crimes.

Human Rights Watch said the tribunal allows detention without charge for more than one year only under “exceptional circumstances” that should be set out in writing.

The group said the tribunal has detained more than 160 people and has not granted bail to any of them.

Among those cited was former Hasina adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, 81, who Human Rights Watch said had spent 22 months in custody without charge.

Former lawmaker Kamal Ahmed Majumder, 75, has also been detained for about 22 months, the organization said. His family alleged that he developed gangrene in his foot, requiring the amputation of three toes, and later suffered a hip fracture after falling in jail.

Prison deaths and medical care

Human Rights Watch said families of detainees have raised concerns about inadequate medical treatment in prisons.

It cited the death of former Awami League lawmaker Ramesh Chandra Sen, 85, who died in custody on Feb. 7, 2026, after being detained in connection with several criminal cases.

His family alleged that he had not received proper medication and had been denied bail.

The group also cited the death of SM Ziaul Haque Zia, 65, a Jamalpur district Awami League leader who was already in poor health when he was detained in January. He died in custody on April 14 after his family said he had been denied bail.

HRW urges independent investigations

Human Rights Watch said international human rights law permits pretrial detention in certain circumstances, but stressed that detention should be an exception rather than the rule.

It said each detainee should have access to judicial review to determine whether detention is lawful and necessary, and that detainees should either receive a speedy trial or be released.

“A justice system that lets older people die in custody before they are ever charged is not treating pretrial detention as the exceptional measure it always should be,” Pearson said.

“The Bangladeshi government should order independent inquiries into all prison deaths under its watch and stop arbitrarily detaining people for prolonged periods without charge,” she added.

This report is based on the Human Rights Watch statement dated Aug. 23, 2026.