Mushfiqul Fazal AnsareyLooking back over the 15 years of Sheikh Hasina’s rule in Bangladesh (which ended with her departure on August 5), one overarching theme emerges: the culmination of dictatorship through a deliberate, gradual backsliding of democracy. The decade and a half of Hasina’s rule witnessed a series of deliberate actions that transformed the country from a nascent democracy into a full-fledged authoritarian state. Here’s how Bangladesh’s democratic backsliding unfolded, leaving the nation grappling with autocracy.
1. The Destruction of the Electoral System
The erosion of democracy began with the dismantling of the electoral system. The regime’s first major move was to abolish the caretaker government system—an election-time mechanism meant to ensure fair elections. By rewriting parliamentary rules, under Sheikh Hasina’s single-handed direction, the regime eliminated one of the few remaining safeguards against electoral manipulation. The death of participatory elections in Bangladesh can be traced directly back to this move.
2. Crony Capitalism and Rent-Seeking Economy
Under the guise of economic development, crony capitalism took root. The ruling regime built an economic system that rewarded loyalty and enriched a select few. Through state-sponsored mega-projects, the costs of which far exceed those in Europe, the U.S., or even Singapore, billions were siphoned off by government insiders. The satellite project alone was marred by allegations of hundreds of millions of dollars being embezzled. This pattern of unchecked corruption, where kickbacks permeate every level of business from small enterprises to multinational corporations, crippled economic integrity and created a billionaires’ club among the ruling elites while leaving the rest of the nation struggling.
3. Weaponizing the Judiciary
The judiciary, once a potential guardian of justice, was weaponized. Judges who dared to act independently or challenge the government were swiftly dismissed or forced into exile. Courtrooms, instead of serving justice, served the regime’s interests. The dismissal of a lower court judge who granted bail to an opposition leader was a stark example. The judiciary became a tool of repression, ensuring that dissenting voices could be silenced through legal means, no matter how unjust.
4. Erosion of Checks and Balances: A Path to Gross Human Rights Violations
The systematic destruction of institutions intended to ensure governmental accountability paved the way for rampant human rights abuses. If history remembers this regime, it will be for its reign of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and persecution of journalists, human rights activists, students, and political opponents. Thousands of political dissidents paid with their lives for opposing the regime. State-sponsored violence became the norm, as institutions that were meant to safeguard rights instead facilitated their violation.
5. Censorship and the Death of Free Speech
The silencing of dissent extended beyond the courtroom and into the realm of public discourse. Draconian laws like the Digital Security Act and the Cyber Security Act created an environment where freedom of expression was virtually nonexistent. These laws were used to imprison individuals for as little as a satirical social media post. Journalist Shahidul Alam was bloodied and battered inside a prison cell; writer Mushtaq Ahmed was beaten to death inside prison for daring to criticize the regime. The past 15 years were the darkest period for journalism and free media in Bangladesh, with countless threats directed even at those reporting from abroad. Journalists’ families were not spared the regime’s wrath, making press freedom a casualty of this authoritarian era.
These were the grim realities that fueled the transformation of the job quota reform movement into a one-point demand: the call for the government’s resignation. The suffering endured by the people and the suppression of their voices culminated in a united demand for change.
International Voices Against the Tyranny
In the midst of this turmoil, some have taken, thankfully, a stand for democracy and human rights. The U.S. State Department expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, particularly the use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters and the suppression of free speech through internet blackouts. State Department officials repeatedly called for restraint and dialogue, urging the government to cease its violent crackdown on protesting students.
Meanwhile, the United Nations also condemned the excessive use of force against students and activists. The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, decried the violence as “shocking and unacceptable,” while the Secretary-General himself intervened to push for peace. Yet, the government’s decision to ignore international appeals for restraint and accountability showed a complete disregard for human rights and global diplomatic norms.
Amid the government’s attempts to shut down information, journalists and media outlets such as The New York Times, BBC, Al Jazeera and many more continued their coverage. Their reports shed light on the brutality faced by the people, despite the risks involved for their reporters on the ground. The regime also extended its crackdown to social media influencers who tried to amplify the students’ voices when the government shut down communication channels.
Safeguarding Democracy for the Future:
The past 15 years cast a shadow over Bangladesh, yet the light of democracy endured, kept alive by the courage and sacrifices of students and youth who paid the ultimate price. To secure the future of democracy in Bangladesh, the international community must remain steadfast in its support and help bring the perpetrators of abuses to justice. Both the interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and global allies have significant work ahead. The interim government’s decisive move to ban the Chattra League—a group notorious for brutalizing students—marks a powerful step towards justice, following calls for action that have echoed for over half a decade. Now, the world must continue to stand with the Bangladeshi people in their fight for justice, freedom, and the restoration of democracy.
