Bangladesh’s Law Advisor Asif Nazrul acknowledged the country’s struggle in establishing the rule of law, citing progress but emphasizing the need for sincerity and commitment from the upcoming government post the February 12 general election. Speaking at a policy dialogue event in Dhaka, Nazrul highlighted the significant reforms undertaken within a short period in Bangladesh’s history.
He expressed concerns over the rise in attacks on women, girls, and religious minorities ahead of the upcoming elections, pointing to a failure in protecting fundamental human rights. Recent data from Human Rights Watch revealed an increase in gender-based violence, attributed to the actions of religious groups restricting women’s rights and equality efforts by the interim government.
The upcoming general election on February 12 marks a significant political event for Bangladesh following the exit of the previous democratically elected government. Reports also highlighted a surge in attacks on Hindu and ethnic minorities, including incidents of violence and discrimination. Despite past achievements in women’s political participation, the upcoming election shows a concerning lack of female candidates across various political parties.
