UK fact finding mission reports democratic progress under BNP govt

A UK government fact finding mission has testified that the political and democratic situation in Bangladesh improved following the ouster of the Awami League regime in August 2024, and continued to progress after the BNP assumed power.

However, the report noted that despite improvements in the political landscape and freedom of speech, concerns remain regarding corruption, police accountability and effectiveness and the limited implementation of state reforms proposed following the uprising.

Three officials from the UK’s Country Policy and Information Team (CPIT) carried out the fact finding mission from 7 to 15 June, and the report has been published this month, the UK government said in a statement on Monday.

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The mission has gathered information from a range of sources about the political situation since the July 2024 uprising and the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in early August of the same year. Summary of the findings is as follows:

The political situation has stabilised and generally improved since the July 2024 uprising, following the interim government period and the formation of a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government following the February 2026 elections. Political parties, journalists, civil society organisations and human rights groups reported greater freedom to operate, express views and engage in public debate than under the previous Awami League (AL) government. However, concerns remain regarding corruption, police accountability and effectiveness and the limited implementation of wide-reaching reforms proposed following the uprising.

The BNP, and opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP), are able to organise, campaign, protest and criticise the government. Political violence continues to occur, but is generally localised and most often relates to disputes over local influence, business interests, resources and political control at the local level. Sources described the 2026 election as generally peaceful and significantly less violent than previous elections and noted that political violence has reduced since the election.

The AL remains banned and public hostility towards it as an organisation remains, due to human rights abuses committed during its period in power and the events surrounding the July 2024 uprising. Low-level AL supporters who were not associated with corruption, violence or repression are generally described as able to remain in their communities. However, those openly expressing support for the party may face harassment, societal hostility or violence. Some former AL members have aligned themselves with other political parties, relocated within Bangladesh or left the country.

Most people arrested on politically motivated charges under the former AL government have been released and most cases have been withdrawn. Police sources stated that more than 21,000 politically motivated or false cases have been withdrawn and that reviews of historical cases remain ongoing.

Large numbers of AL politicians, activists and officials continue to face criminal proceedings relating to alleged actions during the former government and the July 2024 protests. Cases are proceeding through both the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) and the ordinary courts. Some prominent individuals have been granted bail and released, while others remain detained pending trial.