Silent human rights crisis in Bangladesh

Religious minorities are facing systematic persecution, harassment and violence.

- SAVIO RODRIGUES

Religious minorities in Bangladesh are living through a quiet but harrowing ordeal, facing systematic persecution, harassment, and violence. For years, the country's Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and other minority groups have borne the brunt of radicalized aggression, with little protection from the government.

A recent incident shared by a colleague underscores the deep-rooted discrimination and danger faced by these communities.

A Christian man, working as a registrar at a college, received a chilling WhatsApp message while at work. The message came from his wife's phone, but it wasn't from her. Attached was a photograph of his wife and two daughters, sitting on a bed, visibly terrified. Standing on either side of them were two armed men, identified as Islamic radicals. The message was blunt: "Resign from your job immediately or face consequences." Faced with the immediate threat to his family, the man resigned from his position the same day, without notice. His resignation meant losing his job, pension benefits, and financial security.

The next day, the college appointed a new registrar from the majority Muslim community. This was no coincidence; it was part of a broader pattern of intimidation targeting minorities.

Unfortunately, this incident is just one of countless examples of the plight of religious minorities in Bangladesh. According to Christian leaders in the country, over 1,200 incidents of violence and intimidation against Christians by radicalized groups have been recorded in recent years. These include forced conversions, physical assaults, property seizures, and threats aimed at driving Christians out of their jobs and homes.

The Christian community in Bangladesh is relatively small, making up only about 0.3% of the country's population of 170 million.