In a concerning development, the government of Bangladesh is facing growing criticism and international condemnation for its ongoing suppression of human rights activists, journalists, opposition parties, and ordinary citizens. The situation has escalated to the point where even foreign diplomats are being targeted and harassed.

On July 17, an independent candidate, Ashraful Alam alias Hero Alam, was subjected to a brutal attack by leaders and activists of the ruling party Awami League during the Dhaka-17 constituency by-election. The incident, deemed as an assault on democratic values, was swiftly condemned by 11 countries with a presence in Bangladesh, including the United Nations and the European Union, expressing their outrage and concern.

However, instead of addressing the human rights violations, the Bangladesh government reacted by threatening the resident representative of the United Nations for daring to condemn the attack. This response further highlighted the government’s disregard for the right to freedom of expression and raised alarms within the international community.

In a recent incident on July 26, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned and threatened diplomats from 11 countries, including the United States and the European Union, who had expressed concerns or condemnation about the human rights situation in Bangladesh. The government’s attempts to silence foreign envoys and prevent them from speaking out only deepened the global outcry against its actions.

As a result of these disturbing developments, the embassies of the European Union, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States have issued statements condemning the attack on Ashraful Alam and expressing their solidarity with the people of Bangladesh in their pursuit of human rights and democratic principles.

The situation in Bangladesh has now reached an extremely critical state, with the international community closely monitoring the government’s actions and voicing its deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in the country.

The suppression of dissent, harassment of diplomats, and attacks on political candidates are grave violations of human rights and democratic norms, and the world stands united in calling for accountability, justice, and respect for human rights in Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh is urged to address these concerns promptly and take meaningful steps towards upholding human rights, ensuring freedom of expression, and fostering a climate of political inclusivity and respect for all citizens.