Brussels, February 5: As Bangladesh approaches its general elections on February 12, the future of the country, particularly for minorities, is increasingly uncertain. A recent report indicates that minorities may face a government that does not recognize them as equal citizens.
The report primarily blames the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus for this situation. Instead of managing a peaceful transition of power, this government has harmed the economy, taken illegal actions against business groups, ignored attacks on minorities, deepened social divisions, and turned a blind eye to the rising Islamist threat.
Citing an international media report on U.S.-Bangladesh relations, the Brussels-based news website ‘EU Reporter’ revealed a leaked audio recording. In it, a U.S. diplomat stationed in Dhaka expresses a desire to make Jamaat-e-Islami a “friend” of Bangladesh.
While establishing diplomatic ties with emerging political parties is not unusual, the report states that Jamaat-e-Islami is the largest Islamist party in Bangladesh and has been designated a terrorist organization by Russia for over 20 years.
The report notes, “Despite losing electoral registration over a decade ago due to anti-Hindu violence, Jamaat is reported to be in second place just a month before the general elections. If the U.S. openly supports Jamaat, it would represent a fundamental shift and could be one of the biggest mistakes made by the U.S. State Department in recent years.”
According to the report, “Jamaat originated from movements opposing the formation of Bangladesh and is inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood. After the partition of India, Jamaat supported Pakistan. During Bangladesh’s liberation war, Jamaat created brutal paramilitary groups that targeted pro-independence civilians.”
The report indicates that after the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, a ban on Jamaat was lifted through an executive order. Subsequently, a Bangladeshi court ruling in 2025 allowed Jamaat to register again as a political party.
Since its return, Jamaat has strengthened its foothold in Bangladeshi Politics, and its influence continues to grow. The rising popularity of Jamaat raises concerns about the strengthening of conservative Islamic thought in the country, especially as social divisions deepen.
The report highlights that since the protests in July 2024, incidents of mob violence targeting women have emerged, girls’ sports competitions have been canceled, and numerous brutal rapes of women and children have occurred nationwide.
It states, “In a country known for its female leadership, this decline is extremely concerning.”
Furthermore, the report adds, “In a nation deeply divided along religious lines, grappling with the ongoing impacts of the Rohingya refugee crisis and facing tensions with India, these elections may not provide the hope many are expecting.”