In a recent report by Prothom Alo, one of Bangladesh’s leading national newspapers, a staggering 1,066 attacks against Hindus and other minority communities were documented between August 5 and August 20, 2024. The reported number is estimated to be around 1,090 based on additional data, but the figure may not reflect the full scale of violence occurring in the country.
Despite its alarming statistics, the report has been criticized for excluding significant details. Notably, it does not account for incidents that occurred after August 20 and fails to mention specific acts of violence, including murders, gang rapes, and abductions. Moreover, the report’s claim that approximately 50% of the attacks were politically motivated has been contested by human rights organizations.
The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) has raised concerns over the accuracy and completeness of the report. According to unconfirmed data from HRCBM, the total number of attacks may exceed 2,200, involving looting, arson, temple destruction, gang rapes, murders, and abductions—far surpassing the figures published by Prothom Alo.
“The situation is far more severe than reported,” stated an HRCBM volunteer from Bangladesh. “The real extent of the atrocities against minorities is not reflected in the Prothom Alo report.”
International Response Sought:
In response to the rising violence, HRCBM has called on the United Nations and the broader international community to conduct an independent investigation into the attacks. The organization emphasized the need for urgent action to safeguard minority communities facing escalating violence and persecution.
The appeal underscores a growing concern among human rights advocates that the crisis in Bangladesh is being underreported and inadequately addressed, with immediate intervention needed to prevent further atrocities.
