As mob violence escalates in Bangladesh, 32 individuals lost their lives in various incidents throughout May. The Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) in Dhaka highlighted these grim statistics, expressing deep concerns about public safety and human rights in the country. The MSF report revealed a significant increase in fatalities compared to previous months, with 71 people critically injured in 69 separate incidents.
The rise in mob violence fatalities from 21 in April to 32 in May underscores a troubling trend where individuals are resorting to vigilante justice. The data also showed a consistent surge in deaths over recent months, with 19 fatalities in March, 18 in February, 21 in January, and 10 in December 2025. Among the 32 deaths in May, 14 were linked to alleged theft, while others resulted from altercations, robbery, and sexual assault accusations.
The MSF report further highlighted the alarming discovery of 53 unidentified bodies in various locations across Bangladesh during the same period. These findings raise concerns about potential lapses in criminal investigations and the prevalence of unresolved crimes and possible extrajudicial killings. The report also noted a rise in deaths in custody from 6 to 7, indicating a complex human rights situation in the country.
Violence against women and children also saw a distressing increase, with 326 incidents recorded in May, marking a rise from the previous month. The number of reported rape cases surged by 40%, reaching 70 cases, while instances of gang rape and rape followed by murder also saw a notable uptick. Additionally, the report documented 34 cases of violence against journalists, highlighting a concerning trend of threats to freedom of expression in Bangladesh.
