Bangladesh
Bangladesh performs at a low level in three Global State of Democracy categories (Representation, Rights and Rule of Law) and at a mid-range level in Participation. Over the past five years, it has experienced declines in Elected Government but seen advances in Economic Equality. The country’s economy largely depends on agriculture (primarily rice, jute and tea) – with almost half the population employed in the sector - while the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) industry and overseas migrant workers’ remittances are also major contributors. Despite decades of political instability, there has been significant progress in Basic Welfare since the 1980s. Bangladesh is one of the world’s most populous countries and hosts one of the largest refugee camps in the world, housing approximately one million Rohingyas from Myanmar since 2017. The low-lying country is also amongst the most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
Modern-day Bangladesh came to be in 1971, after a violent war of independence (the ‘Bangladeshi Liberation War’) from what was then West Pakistan (current Pakistan). The war was rooted in desires for political autonomy from the geographically, culturally and ideologically distanced West Pakistan. Following independence in 1971, authoritarian rule and military dictatorships were the norm until holding of the first multi-party democratic elections in 1991. Bangladeshi politics have since been dominated by two dynastic parties – the Awami League and the Bangladesh National Party – whose protracted acrimonious rivalry has stalled – and continues to stall - democratic reforms. The prospects for democratic consolidation are further complicated by elections marred by limited competitiveness, boycotts, violence, fraud and irregularities. The 2024 general election further centralized power in the Awami League, marked by a boycott, lower voter turnout than the previous election, and a systematic crackdown on opposition members leading up to the January polls. Other governance concerns include systemic corruption, insufficient resources, nepotism, and weak oversight mechanisms. These problems pervade all organs of government and are especially rampant in the RMG, health and environment sectors. Amidst these challenges, Rohingya refugees also suffer from lack of a legal status and have limited access to basic services and livelihood opportunities.
Although Bangladesh is founded as a secular state, Islam became the state religion in 1988. Political parties maintain divergent views on state-Islam relations, while still appealing to Islamic religious sentiments for political gain. Bangladesh is also home to Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and other religious minorities and a total of 54 indigenous groups. These groups are politically and socio-economically marginalized, experience discrimination in accessing basic state services, land extortion and higher poverty rates than the national average. Communal violence against minorities remains a serious issue, with incidents of religious intolerance and conflict tearing at the fabric of Bangladeshi society.
The government has also been responsible for enforced disappearances of political opponents and human rights activists and violations of freedom of expression and other civil rights. Moreover, while the nation has made strides in women’s empowerment and gender equality, women’s representation in politics remains limited despite the unique experience of having been led by two separate female prime ministers over the past three decades. Child marriage and gender-based violence remain key problems.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch Judicial Independence and Civil Liberties in light of the increased use of laws to curtail free speech online, such as the Digital Security Act. Representation will need to be monitored in light of persisting concerns related to free and fair elections and the need for an independent and effective election commission.
Last Updated: June 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
May 2025
Interim government bans Awami League activities under anti-terror law
On 12 May, the interim government imposed a temporary ban on the Awami League (AL), former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party, restricting the party’s online and offline political activities, including rallies and protests. The ban, executed under the amended Anti-Terrorism Act, follows protests calling for AL to be designated a terrorist organization. Shortly thereafter, the Election Commission suspended AL’s registration, disqualifying AL from contesting polls. The ban will remain in place until the country’s domestic war crimes tribunal – the International Crimes Tribunal - concludes its trial against the party and its leaders over the deaths from last year’s anti-government protests. The ban also coincides with an ordinance that expands the Tribunal's reach to include collective political organizations, rather than just individuals. Rights experts and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volter Turk have noted that the ban restricts rights rather than promoting accountability in a trial that could potentially last years.
Sources: Human Rights Watch, The Daily Star (1), The Diplomat, International IDEA, The Daily Star (2)
January 2025
High Court judges to be appointed through an independent council
On 21 January, the interim government published the ‘Supreme Court Judge Appointment Ordinance, 2025’ in the Gazette, establishing an independent council led by the Chief Justice to appoint judges to higher courts. Previously, the executive held significant control over judicial appointments, which led to widespread criticism for producing a politicized judiciary. The seven-member council will now include members from the Appellate Division, the High Court and the Attorney General. Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated in a press briefing that further initiatives are underway to strengthen judicial independence, including creating a separate judicial secretariat for the Supreme Court and a permanent Attorney Service, aimed at reducing executive influence and addressing past political interference in judicial appointments.
Sources: Dhaka Tribune, BD News, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, International IDEA
Supreme Court acquits former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in graft case
On 15 January, the Supreme Court overturned a 10-year jail sentence for Khaleda Zia, the former prime minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in a graft case originally handed down by the High Court in 2018. The acquittal extends to all other defendants in that case, including Zia’s son and BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman. The Supreme Court said that the initial proceedings “manifested a contrived misapplication of the law tantamount to malicious prosecution,” in a case that Zia’s supporters alleged was politically motivated. This decision follows Zia’s acquittal in another corruption case after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from office in 2024, clearing the way for Zia to contest in the next election.
Sources: The Daily Star, The Associated Press, Jurist
November 2024
Interim government forms new reform commissions
The interim government, established on 8 August, created several reform commissions to address corruption, the election system, the judiciary, police and the constitution. These commissions will provide reform roadmaps in the next three months, after beginning work in October. Four additional reform commissions have since been announced focused on health, media, labour rights and women affairs. Since August, the interim government has signed the UN Convention on Enforced Disappearances, set up disappearance inquiries, and lifted the previous administration's ban on the Jamaat-E-Islami party. While welcome developments, political analysts have raised concerns regarding the haste of court proceedings against those involved in violence during the uprising and the formation of the reform commissions, urging for transparency and inclusivity.
Sources: International IDEA, Crisis Group, The Daily Star
Interim government scraps Cyber Security Act
On 7 November, the interim government endorsed the annulment of the Cyber Security Act, which was widely criticized for suppressing free speech, press freedom and political dissent. All cases filed under the act would also be withdrawn. Rights and media experts have welcomed the decision, urging the interim government to provide relief to victims of the Act. The decision to repeal the Cybersecurity Act paves the way for preparing a new Cyber Protection Ordinance law. This proposed law omits seven controversial provisions from the previous Act, including hate, misinformation and defamatory propaganda penalties.
Update: The interim government’s advisory council approved the draft Cyber Protection ordinance on 24 December. However, civil society members have criticized the draft for retaining vague definitions similar to those of its predecessors, which could lead to misuse. The interim government has also been accused of failing to conduct meaningful consultations beforehand, allowing only three days for comment. In response, the interim government uploaded an amended version of the draft ordinance to its website and reopened the commenting period from 22 January to 6 February 2025.
Sources: International IDEA , Dhaka Tribune, The Daily Star, Prothomalo, Article 19, The Daily Star
August 2024
Sheikh Hasina ends 15-year rule amid mass protests
On 5 August, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina abruptly resigned and fled the country after weeks of student-led protests against a controversial government job quota scheme introduced in July. Initially peaceful, the protests descended into violence amid a harsh crackdown by authorities and evolved into anti-government demonstrations. On 5 August, protesters defied a military curfew and stormed Hasina’s residence, prompting her departure when military forces refused to intervene. The President dissolved Parliament the next day, paving the way for forming an interim government. On 8 August, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser (a position comparable to the prime minister)– a key demand from protesters. The interim government said general elections would be held after essential reforms were made to state institutions. The interim cabinet members –considered advisors rather than ministers - were selected in consultation with student leaders, the military and civil society representatives.
Sources: International IDEA, Al Jazeera, OHCHR, East Asia Forum, Deutsche Welle, The Daily Star
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus acquitted in labour violation case
On 7 August, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and three senior Grameen Bank officials were acquitted of a labour law conviction initially handed down in January. The acquittal came just a day before Yunus was sworn in as Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor for the interim government following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid nationwide protests. Shortly after, Yunus and 13 others were also cleared in a graft case brought by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission. Both cases were widely seen as politically motivated, facilitated by legal pressure from the previous government, which viewed Yunus as a political rival. Similarly, on 6 August, another one of Hasina’s political adversaries, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, had her 2018 corruption conviction overturned by presidential decree. The timing and context surrounding these acquittals remain unclear.
Sources: International IDEA, The Daily Star, Time Magazine, Al Jazeera
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