South Asian Minorities Collective
Press Release | April 2025
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) has reported a disturbing continuation of violence against religious and ethnic minorities, as well as indigenous communities, across Bangladesh. According to their recent findings, 92 incidents of targeted violence took place during January and February 2025 alone.
The reported attacks include:
11 murders
3 incidents of rape
25 attacks on temples and places of worship
1 allegation of religious desecration
6 attacks on indigenous communities
38 incidents of assault, vandalism, or looting of minority homes and businesses
2 cases of discriminatory job dismissals
6 other incidents involving targeted harassment
The council emphasized that this violence is part of a broader, alarming pattern. We documented an unprecedented 2,184 incidents targeting minorities from August 4 to December 31, 2024. These included:
32 murders
133 attacks on religious sites (including temples, churches, and monasteries)
13 cases of sexual violence against Hindu and indigenous women
1,906 attacks, acts of vandalism, lootings, and arsons against homes and businesses
47 instances of illegal land and business occupation
38 physical assaults
15 arrests on accusations of so-called “religious disrespect”
A Call to Action
The South Asian Minorities Collective stands firmly with the victims of these heinous crimes and calls on the government of Bangladesh to uphold its obligations under
Article 28 and Article 41 of the Bangladesh Constitution guarantee equality before the law, non-discrimination based on religion, and freedom of religion.
Bangladesh is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 2, 18, and 19) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The state must ensure the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of all minorities and indigenous peoples.
We urge immediate action from
Bangladesh Government
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
Minority Rights Group International
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
World Council of Indigenous Peoples
Asian Human Rights Commission
We further demand the establishment of a Minority Protection Commission and robust legal reforms to prosecute religiously motivated violence and discrimination.
The international community must not turn a blind eye. Justice delayed is justice denied
President
South Asian Minorities Collective
