More than 2,000 students, teachers and academics across Bangladesh have faced alleged politically motivated persecution since August 2024, with cases ranging from academic exclusion and physical attacks to criminal proceedings and forced resignations, according to a report released by human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF).
The report, titled Persecution of Teachers and Students in Bangladesh’s Higher Education Sector: Academic Exclusion, Coercion and the Struggle for Justice and Accountability (August 2024–October 2026), documented at least 2,051 victims across 229 higher education institutions between August 2024 and October 2026.
The Paris-based organisation said its verified records included 1,569 students, accounting for 76.5% of the victims, and 482 teachers and academics, making up the remaining 23.5%.
It alleged that they were targeted because of their political affiliations with the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated organisations, or their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
The findings point to alleged violations including politically motivated disciplinary action, intimidation, physical assaults, restrictions on examinations, exclusion from campuses and residential facilities, and pressure on teachers to resign.
Students face academic and residential exclusion
According to the…