The move has focused attention once again on Bangladesh’s treatment of political detainees, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) calling for an end to long pretrial detentions and independent investigations into deaths in custody. The rights organisation says hundreds of people linked to the ousted Awami League government are being held without charge.
The statement comes amid wider concerns about the extent to which Bangladesh’s criminal justice system provides adequate legal protections for those in detention. “Authorities should ensure that pretrial detention is the exception, not a mechanism for keeping people in jail indefinitely,” HRW said.
The organisation’s latest action has once again drawn international attention to the problems of political detention and prison conditions.
At least 10 Political Figures Reported Dead in Prison
Since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office in February 2026, at least 10 officials of the ruling Awami League have died in prison, many without ever being charged with a crime, HRW said. The rights group cited concerns expressed by families and lawyers about medical care, bail and due process.
They include the cases of Ramesh Chandra Sen, a former Awami League lawmaker who died in custody on February 7, 2026, at the age of 85. He has been detained in connection with murder and explosives cases since August 2024. His family claimed he was not provided with the correct medication and bail.
Another is SM Ziaul Haque Zia, a 65-year-old Awami League leader from Jamalpur who was said to be in poor health when he was arrested in January 2026.
Such cases underscore the need for independent review of deaths in custody, HRW says.
Calls for Independent Enquiries
The rights group urged the Bangladesh government to order independent probes into all deaths in custody. These investigations can help determine if the deaths were due to natural causes, poor medical treatment, negligence or other factors for which someone could be held responsible.
The demand comes amid wider concern over the conditions in jail. Prison authorities in Bangladesh recorded deaths of inmates at 270 in 2025, against 261 in 2024 and 290 in 2023, figures quoted by The Daily Star showed. Many of the deaths occurred as prisoners were treated in hospital, and some as inmates were being transported to hospital.
The statistics have led to more calls for better prison health care, more transparency and more oversight.
Concerns Bail and Due Process
HRW also expressed concern about the repeated refusal of bail to detainees, even in cases where evidence has not yet been brought to light. The organisation said that some authorities have added further charges against detainees even after the courts have granted them bail, which could prevent their release.
The rights group cited the example of former chief justice ATM Khairul Haque, who faced multiple cases and repeatedly tried to be detained despite bail orders. The Appellate Division intervened, and he was released on 8/19/26.
The cases have raised broader questions about whether criminal proceedings are being used as a means of protracted political detention.
Why Independent Investigations?
Independent enquiries into prison deaths could provide families with answers and determine whether officials or institutions are at fault. They could also help tell the difference between deaths from pre-existing medical conditions and those that may have been caused by substandard care, neglect or mistreatment.
For Bangladesh, credible investigations would matter more than individual cases. Such findings would be transparent, and could help reassure the public about the prison system, and show that access to justice does not depend upon political affiliation.
HRW’s latest plea therefore combines two concerns: putting a stop to long-term detention without due process and ensuring accountability when people die in state custody.
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Bangladesh: A watershed moment for prison and justice reform
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Bangladesh, which is expected to deliver on institutional and human rights reforms. “If there is evidence to support charges, those accused of serious crimes must be investigated and prosecuted, but international human rights standards require detention and trials to follow due process,” said Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
The immediate task for the authorities is to ensure that in a criminal trial, political identity does not count for more than evidence. At the same time, deaths in prison should not be taken as routine incidents but should be investigated through credible and impartial mechanisms.
Independent investigations, prompt bail and adequate medical treatment could be key indicators of whether Bangladesh is moving in the direction of a more accountable justice system.
Summary: Human Rights Watch has called on Bangladesh authorities to end prolonged and arbitrary pretrial detention of politicians and others linked to the former Awami League government. The rights group has also urged the government to order independent investigations into prison deaths, amid concerns over due process, access to bail and medical care.
