New govt should prioritise human rights: Rights groups

While the widespread rights violations including enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings under Hasina’s rule ended, the interim government "continued to arbitrarily detain political opponents, and was unable to end mob violence" against journalists, religious minorities, and cultural centers, they said.

“Tarique Rahman has been given a wide mandate to bring change, including by many Bangladeshis who risked their lives to overthrow an autocratic government,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

“Success will require meaningful reform to ensure that independent institutions are capable of delivering accountability and upholding the rule of law, and real commitment to upholding rights such as freedom of religion and expression.”

Among the priorities highlighted in the letter are ending arbitrary detention, holding those responsible for past violations accountable, abolishing the abusive Rapid Action Battalion, and protecting ethnic and religious minorities.

The groups also said that the government should protect the rights of over a million Rohingya refugees currently in Bangladesh and establish a strong and independent National Human Rights Commission.

The groups made specific recommendations in their letter for policy measures and legislative steps.

During the election campaign, the BNP made numerous commitments to safeguard rights, including economic rights, by increasing the resources available for health, education, environmental protections, and social security, reports UNB.