Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over alleged arbitrary dismissals, suspensions and expulsions of academics and students in Bangladesh over their links to Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, warning that the actions threaten academic freedom and fundamental rights.
International human rights organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed serious concern over alleged arbitrary disciplinary actions against academics and students at public universities in Bangladesh over their alleged political affiliations with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party.
The US-based rights organisation warned that dismissing, suspending or restricting individuals from performing their academic responsibilities solely because of their peaceful political beliefs or associations would violate fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association under international human rights law.
HRW said university authorities should ensure transparent investigations and due process before taking disciplinary action against teachers and students. It stressed that educational institutions must remain spaces where individuals can freely express their opinions without being subjected to political pressure or retaliation.
“Any acts of revenge against people who peacefully supported the previous government would show that freedoms of speech and assembly are not protected,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.
She further emphasised that universities should provide an environment where people are free to express their views rather than being compelled to support the government in power.
According to HRW, the disciplinary measures against academics include dismissals, suspensions and restrictions on teaching responsibilities. The allegations against them reportedly involve complicity in violence during the Awami League government’s tenure, involvement in activities described as “subversive” in support of Hasina’s party, and other accusations, including discrimination against students wearing Islamic clothing.
The rights organisation also highlighted concerns over the reported expulsion of hundreds of students allegedly associated with or supportive of the Awami League. HRW warned that such actions could deprive students of their fundamental right to education.
Citing recent media reports, the organisation said at least 404 additional academics from 22 universities had been placed under investigation because they were members of a pro-Awami League group on the Telegram messaging platform.
HRW also quoted an unidentified professor at a public university in Bangladesh, who described the difficulties faced by teachers allegedly targeted because of their political affiliations.
The professor reportedly said university authorities were making allegations against teachers aligned with the Awami League who had not supported the 2024 student movement. The professor added that affected academics were being prevented from attending classes, conducting research and carrying out their regular academic responsibilities. The identity of the professor was withheld for security reasons.
Highlighting developments at Dhaka University, Bangladesh’s most prestigious higher education institution, HRW said that university authorities appointed after September 2024 ordered 44 academics to stop their work. Teaching responsibilities were also restricted for another 25 academics without what the rights organisation described as a transparent or credible disciplinary investigation.
Subsequently, six academics were formally placed under temporary suspension following the findings of an inquiry committee. Similar investigations were also initiated against another 14 teachers, according to HRW.
The organisation expressed concern that these actions could create an atmosphere of fear and political discrimination within university campuses, undermining academic independence and the freedom of educators to perform their professional duties.
The controversy has also raised questions about the continuity of disciplinary measures across successive administrations in Bangladesh. HRW noted that actions against academics and students began under the previous interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus and have continued under the current ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government.
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The rights organisation stressed that political affiliation alone should not be treated as evidence of wrongdoing. Any allegations involving violence or other criminal activities must be examined through impartial investigations, with individuals given a fair opportunity to defend themselves.
HRW’s concerns have brought renewed attention to academic freedom, political tolerance and the protection of fundamental rights in Bangladesh. The organisation maintained that universities should uphold freedom of thought, expression and association, ensuring that students and teachers can participate in academic life without fear of arbitrary punishment or political retaliation.
