Bangladesh
Bangladesh exhibits low level performance across three categories of the Global State of Democracy Framework (Representation, Rights and Rule of Law) and performs at the mid-range level in Participation. Over the past five years, it has experienced declines in Representation, Credible Elections, Elected Government and Effective Parliament but seen advances in Freedom of Expression, Economic Equality, Rule of Law, Predictable Enforcement and Personal Integrity and Security. The 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. The country has experienced 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 the first multi-party democratic elections in 1991. Politics has historically been dominated by two dynastic parties – the Awami League and the Bangladesh National Party – whose protracted rivalry stalled democratic reforms. Democratic consolidation was further complicated by elections marred by limited competitiveness, boycotts, violence, fraud and irregularities. In 2024, a student-led uprising abruptly ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule, resulting in an interim government tasked with reforming state institutions and organizing new elections. Persisting governance challenges include systemic corruption, nepotism, and weak oversight mechanisms, especially rampant in the RMG, health and environment sectors. Additionally, Rohingya refugees suffer from lack of a legal status and limited access to basic services and livelihood opportunities. Past governments have also been responsible for enforced disappearances of political opponents and human rights activists and violations of freedom of expression and other civil rights.
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.
The Constitution bans gender discrimination the country consistently performs at the mid-range in Gender Equality. While the nation has made strides in women’s empowerment , 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 Representation, Rights and Rule of Law in light of the country’s ongoing reform process to the judiciary, electoral system, corruption commission and constitution. Credible Elections and Free Political Parties will need to be monitored ahead of the next general election.
Last updated: June 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
August 2025
Interim government moves forward on draft enforced disappearance law
On 28 August, the interim government’s Advisory Council granted ‘approval in principle’ to the draft Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Ordinance 2025. The draft ordinance proposes harsher penalties for enforced disappearances and empowers the National Human Rights Commission to investigate these cases, rather than law enforcement agencies. The ordinance also establishes a special tribunal to handle the prosecutions and trials submitted by the Commission. Other provisions include requiring trials to be completed within 120 days of complaints and offering compensation and legal assistance to victims and their families. While rights experts welcome many provisions, concerns remain regarding the inclusion of the death penalty as a maximum punishment for offenders and the allowance for trials to be held in absentia. The proposed ordinance awaits further discussions before receiving final approval.
Sources: The Daily Star, Fortify Rights, The Financial Express
July 2025
Former Prime Minister sentenced for contempt of court and charged with crimes against humanity
On 2 July, Bangladesh’s domestic court for crimes against humanity–the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)–sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (in absentia) to six months in prison for contempt of court. The contempt charges stem from a leaked audio recording in which she allegedly dismissed murder charges that had been filed against her. The sentence would take effect upon her arrest or surrender, as Hasina has refused to appear before the court since fleeing the country in 2024. In a separate case, the ICT indicted Hasina and two senior officials on 10 July over crimes against humanity related to the uprisings. The proceedings are scheduled to begin in August.
Sources: BBC News, Al Jazeera, The Dhaka Tribune
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
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