Summary
In Bangladesh, minority communities are expressing fear and hesitance over upcoming national elections on February 12. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, representing Christians and other minorities, held a press conference in Dhaka on January 29. They highlighted security concerns based on prior statistics of attacks on minorities following the last election and after the fall of the Awami League government. As of January 27, 42 incidents were reported, including 11 murders, one rape, nine assaults on religious sites like temples and churches, and numerous acts of vandalism, looting, and property damage. Acting Secretary Manindra Kumar Nath emphasized ongoing communal violence and hate speech targeting minorities, resulting in significant fear among the community. Nirmol Rozario, president of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and a Catholic leader, expressed doubts about minority safety during the elections due to continued persecution. The organization also reported 522 communal incidents between January and December 2025, including multiple murders, rapes, assaults on religious sites, and acts of vandalism. Both leaders highlighted the government’s exclusionary stance on secularism in their campaign, raising concerns over minority rights and security during the elections.
Key Topics
Bangladesh, Christians, minority communities
