10/10/2025
31 Years of Struggle for the Establishment of Human Rights
Odhikar’s Statement on Its Founding Anniversary
10 October, 2025 : , an organisation of human rights defenders, was founded on 10 October 1994 with a firm commitment to establishing human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Bangladesh. Today, 10 October 2025, marks the 31st founding anniversary of Odhikar. On its 31st anniversary, Odhikar pays deep respect to those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle against the authoritarian regime of Sheikh Hasina over the past 15 years and during the final uprising in July and August, and expresses solidarity with those who were injured. It is also noteworthy that 10 October is observed globally as the World Day against the Death Penalty.
Since its inception, for over 31 years, Odhikar has been actively working towards the establishment of human rights and the rule of law—raising its voice against extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and persecution, killings, torture, and push-ins at the Bangladesh-India border by the Indian BSF, violence against women, and against the culture of impunity. Despite various obstacles, Odhikar has continued its struggle to uphold human rights. Odhikar has established a network of human rights defenders across the country and, as a member of several international human rights organisations, has actively participated in global human rights movements.
Odhikar has faced harassment and persecution under different governments for protesting against human rights violations. However, after the Awami League-led coalition came to power in 2009, the persecution against Odhikar intensified severely from 2013 onwards. During this time, Odhikar’s registration was not renewed, and its Secretary and Director were convicted and sentenced for publishing a fact-finding report on an incident of extrajudicial killings. Moreover, Odhikar and its affiliated grassroots human rights defenders have been subjected to surveillance by intelligence agencies and have faced obstacles in organising meetings and assemblies due to their vocal stance against human rights violations and for maintaining contact with victims’ families. During the July–August student and people’s uprising, Odhikar’s activists also participated actively and faced arrests and various forms of persecution.
The July–August bloody uprising of students and citizens that toppled the authoritarian regime has created the possibility for the people of Bangladesh to regain their civil and political rights. Following this change, Odhikar’s registration was renewed, and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s convictions of Odhikar’s Secretary and Director. As the judiciary has started functioning independently, numerous leaders, activists of opposition parties, and dissenting individuals have also been acquitted from politically motivated cases and convictions.
After Bangladesh was liberated from authoritarian rule on 5 August 2024, an interim government was formed. However, incidents of human rights violations continue to occur, which go against the spirit of the July–August uprising. Although incidents of enforced disappearances have ceased, extrajudicial killings and custodial torture still persist, and allegations of abuses by law enforcement agencies against citizens remain. Political violence continues, which may undermine the upcoming general elections. No law has yet been enacted to criminalise enforced disappearances. The repressive provisions of the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act, 2016 designed to control NGOs, have not been repealed. The National Human Rights Commission has not been reformed or strengthened through necessary legal amendments to function as an independent and effective state institution. Women continue to face harassment online, and the government has failed to take effective measures to prevent it. Furthermore, due to the law enforcement agencies’ failure to improve the law and order situation as expected, various criminal activities continue across the country.
On its 31st founding anniversary, Odhikar urges the interim government to ensure the conduct of a free and fair election so that a sovereign parliament can be formed through the people’s votes, and a democratically elected government can govern the country with the people’s mandate. Odhikar hopes that an elected government will uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and build Bangladesh as a democratic state founded on equality, human dignity, and social justice—where human rights will be fully respected and protected.
