Mob violence killed 32 people in Bangladesh in October, up from 23 in September, while gang-rape cases rose 75%…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Deaths from mob violence and incidents of gang rape increased sharply in Bangladesh in October, according to a monthly monitoring report by human rights organisation Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF). Attacks on minority places of worship and violence against women and children also rose during the month.
At least 32 people were killed in mob violence in October, compared with 23 in September, while reported gang-rape cases increased from 12 to 21, marking a rise of 75 per cent, according to the MSF report cited by Bangladesh’s The Daily Star.
The mob violence was linked to various disputes, including verbal altercations, allegations of theft, extortion, land conflicts, drug-related disputes and muggings.
Overall incidents of violence against women and children increased slightly from 354 in September to 357 in October. Cases of sexual harassment and abuse also rose from 16 to 25, the report said.
A total of 84 women and children were killed during the month, including 20 children and adolescents. MSF also reported an increase in sexual abuse cases involving boys, from seven to 10, while incidents of illegal arbitration in criminal matters rose from one to six.
The organisation said six newborn babies were found abandoned in October. Five of them were rescued alive, according to The Daily Star.
Attacks on minority communities rise
Violence targeting religious minorities also increased during the month. Incidents of vandalism and theft at places of worship belonging to minority communities rose from 10 in September to 35 in October, according to MSF.
The report also documented vandalism at minority homes in Rangpur and Pirojpur. Several people were injured in attacks on markets in Brahmanbaria and Kushtia.
Political violence remained another concern, with deaths in factional clashes involving the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Awami League increasing from one to five.
Nine people were killed in attacks by unidentified assailants during October, while the number of unidentified bodies recovered increased from 71 to 73. However, the number of bodies recovered after initial identification fell from 14 to four.
Fewer attacks on journalists
Some categories of violence recorded a decline. Attacks and harassment involving journalists decreased from 28 to 23, while cases of legal harassment fell from nine to one.
Cases registered under cyber-related laws also declined, from eight in September to two in October.
The latest findings come amid wider concerns over human rights and the treatment of children and adolescents in Bangladesh.
In a separate report published on October 26, international human rights organisation Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) said at least 2,774 children and adolescents had been arrested or detained across the country during a one-month period.
The report documented 12 incidents and a series of operations across four divisions and eight districts between September 23 and October 22.
Cumilla recorded the highest district-level figure, with 2,035 children and adolescents arrested or detained. Chattogram division accounted for 2,418 cases, followed by Sylhet with 300, Rajshahi with 50 and Barishal with six.
Of the total documented cases, 2,173 arrests or detentions took place between September 23 and 30, while another 601 were recorded between October 1 and 22.
JMBF warned that the actual number could be higher, as several incidents may have gone unreported or remained outside its monitoring network.
The findings from both organisations highlight continuing concerns over mob violence, sexual abuse, attacks on minority communities and the protection of vulnerable groups in Bangladesh.
