Human rights organization Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnes Callamard, has written to Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, expressing worries about the misuse of anti-terror laws against journalists in Bangladesh. Callamard urged immediate action to protect human rights during the upcoming February 12 elections, emphasizing the need to stop the misuse of security laws against journalists and critics.
She highlighted the importance of ensuring that law enforcement agencies act lawfully to safeguard individuals exercising their rights and to hold accountable those responsible for attacks on media personnel and minorities in Bangladesh. Callamard emphasized that the upcoming elections on February 12, 2026, are crucial for Bangladesh to move towards a future where the rights and dignity of all citizens are respected and promoted.
Amnesty International’s Secretary General condemned the violence that erupted after the death of radical Islamist leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 18, 2025. The incidents included attacks on Bangladeshi newspapers’ offices, cultural institutions, and harassment of media professionals. She also expressed concern over the lynching of a Hindu garment worker, stressing the failure to protect human rights in Bangladesh.
Callamard pointed out a pattern of attacks on journalists, media workers, minorities, and artists by non-state actors in 2025. She called for thorough investigations, accountability for perpetrators, and proactive measures to prevent future attacks. The Secretary General emphasized that the period leading up to the elections will be a critical test of the interim government’s dedication to upholding international obligations and the rule of law in Bangladesh.
