At least 28 people were killed and 62 injured in 53 incidents of mob violence and public lynching across Bangladesh in August, according to a monthly human rights report. During the same month, the country recorded at least 70 incidents of political violence, leaving seven people dead and more than 536 injured.

The findings were published on Thursday (3 September) by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), which compiled the report using reports published in 16 national media outlets alongside its own investigations.

The report shows a marked rise in political violence compared with July. That month saw 45 such incidents in which six people were killed and 164 injured. In August, the number of incidents rose to 70, while deaths increased to seven and injuries more than tripled to over 536.

Internal disputes within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) accounted for 20 incidents, resulting in five deaths and at least 152 injuries. Clashes between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were recorded in 18 incidents, leaving one person dead and 233 injured. Seven clashes between the BNP and Awami League resulted in one death and 26 injuries.

There were also six clashes between the BNP and National Citizens Party (NCP), in which 16 people were injured. Ten incidents involving the BNP and other political parties left 38 people injured, while nine clashes among different political groups caused another 71 injuries.

Of the seven people killed in political violence, five were affiliated with the BNP, one with the Awami League and one with Jamaat-e-Islami.

Campus-based clashes involving student organisations also contributed significantly to the number of injuries. HRSS recorded at least 13 such incidents in August, leaving 216 people injured. Eight clashes between Chhatra Dal and Shibir accounted for 181 injuries, while five incidents involving Chhatra Dal, other student organisations and general students left another 35 injured.

According to HRSS, disputes over political differences, local dominance, internal party conflicts, attacks and extortion were among the main factors behind political violence during the month. The organisation also recorded attacks on political activists, shooting incidents and cases of vandalism and arson in several districts.

At least four attacks attributed to criminals left two people dead and three injured. At least 12 political activists were also reportedly shot. In 19 incidents linked to attempts to establish control, occupation, political violence and extortion, more than 50 homes, business establishments and party offices were reportedly attacked, looted, vandalised or set on fire.

The forthcoming local government elections also featured in the violence recorded during August. In Kushtia and Satkhira, clashes between candidates and their supporters left at least nine people injured.

More than 62 political cases filed

HRSS said more than 62 cases were filed against activists and supporters of different political parties during August. The cases named 1,125 people, while around 2,209 others were listed as unidentified accused.

Across 162 incidents involving political and other matters, a total of 12,823 people were arrested during the month. They included at least 429 Awami League members, 22 BNP members, four Jamaat-e-Islami members, nine NCP members and five members of extremist organisations, according to the report.

45 journalists face violence or harassment

Journalists were also among those affected. HRSS recorded at least 32 incidents of harassment and violence involving 45 journalists in August.

Of them, 26 were injured, six were subjected to physical or verbal humiliation and seven received threats. Five journalists were also detained.

One journalist was named as an accused in a case filed over the publication of a report. Another was accused in a case filed under the Cyber Security Act 2026.

The organisation said law enforcement agencies directly or indirectly obstructed 13 meetings and rallies during the month. Those incidents left 61 people injured and eight detained.

HRSS also recorded eight incidents involving alleged interference with freedom of expression. Ten people were detained in connection with those incidents, while eight cases were filed naming at least 11 people.

According to the report, two people were detained over criticism of the Prime Minister, one over creating political and other content, and two over allegations involving religious sentiments and offensive remarks. Six others were detained in connection with various other incidents.

Four cases filed under different provisions of the Cyber Security Act 2026 named five people as accused, all of whom were detained, the report said.

Women and children continue to face serious abuse

HRSS reported that 249 women and girls were subjected to violence in August. At least 79 were victims of rape, including 46 children and adolescent girls under the age of 18. They accounted for 58 per cent of the reported rape victims.

A further 18 women and girls were reportedly subjected to gang rape, while 93 experienced sexual harassment or assault. Among the latter group were 38 children.

Dowry-related violence resulted in six women’s deaths, seven injuries and one suicide. Domestic violence was reported to have caused 49 deaths and 31 injuries, while 23 women died by suicide in such cases.

The report separately recorded 282 children as victims of abuse during August. Of them, 77 died, while 205 suffered physical or psychological abuse.

19 workers killed in 84 abuse incidents

Workers also faced violence and unsafe conditions during the month. HRSS recorded at least 84 incidents of worker abuse, in which 19 people were killed and at least 67 injured.

At least 63 workers died in workplace accidents linked to unsafe working environments and a lack of protective equipment, according to the report. In two separate incidents, two domestic workers died, while another domestic worker was subjected to abuse.

Three killed along Bangladesh’s borders

At the India-Bangladesh border, HRSS recorded eight incidents involving alleged attacks by the Border Security Force (BSF), in which two people were killed and one injured. Five people were detained in border areas.

The report also said five people were pushed into Bangladesh through different border points, while attempts were made to push in another 18 people.

Along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, a Bangladeshi youth was killed and another person injured when a landmine exploded. Three people were also detained from the waterways, according to the report.

87 bodies recovered from different locations

HRSS said 87 bodies were recovered in 82 incidents from rivers, canals, forests and abandoned locations across the country during August.

Of the recovered bodies, 12 were found inside sacks, 17 were hanging and 26 had multiple signs of injury. Nine bodies had their throats cut and eight were found with their hands and feet tied. The remaining 15 bodies were recovered in various circumstances.

At least six people died in different prisons during the month. They included one convicted prisoner and five detainees. One of the deceased was affiliated with the Awami League, while the other five were described as ordinary prisoners or detainees.

Assessing the overall human rights situation, HRSS Executive Director Ejazul Islam said Bangladesh had passed through a sensitive and changing period during August. He linked the growing concerns to the country’s recent political circumstances, debates surrounding the national parliament and wider concerns over public security.

HRSS has called on the government to take accountable and responsible measures to prevent any further deterioration in the country’s human rights situation.