For the first time, concerns over the political situation in Bangladesh have been prominently raised in Canada’s House of Commons, as a Liberal Party MP from Ottawa read out key points from a petition submitted by Bangladeshi-Canadians criticising the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
The petition, presented on January 28, highlights what signatories describe as the “deplorable” conditions in Bangladesh since August 5, 2024โthe date the elected Awami League government was ousted amid widespread protests. It accuses Yunus’ administration of being illegitimate and engaging in targeted persecution against Awami League members and supporters, alongside severe human rights violations.
MP Anita Vandenbeld, representing the ruling Liberal Party and known for her work on international human rights issues, succinctly summarised the petition’s grievances during proceedings in the House of Commons. According to Awami League activists and diaspora supporters who spearheaded the effort, this marks a significant milestone in amplifying Bangladesh-related concerns on the international stage.
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“Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu,” proclaimed one activist statement following the presentation, invoking slogans associated with Bangladesh’s founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Awami League. The group described the event as a collective push by pro-Bangladesh Canadians living in the country, urging Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to take note of the alleged abuses under Yunus’ rule.
The petition calls attention to claims of systematic repression, including arbitrary detentions and restrictions on political opponents, which petitioners say have persisted since the formation of the interim government. It frames Yunus’ leadership as unconstitutional and reliant on external influences rather than a democratic mandate.
This development comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of Bangladesh’s transitional period, as the Yunus administration prepares for elections reportedly slated for early 2026. Diaspora communities in Canada have increasingly mobilised to draw global attention to what they view as a rollback of democratic gains.
While the Canadian government has not yet issued an official response to the petition’s contents, its presentation in Parliament underscores growing diaspora activism on Bangladesh issues abroad. Supporters hope it will prompt diplomatic engagement from Ottawa on human rights and political stability in the South Asian nation.
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Awami League affiliates hailed the moment as a breakthrough, emphasising that Bangladesh’s challenges are now “resonating strongly” in a major Western legislature for the first time.
In December, Canadian lawmaker Melissa Lantsman brought attention to the plight of minority Hindus in Bangladesh, highlighting reports of atrocities and worsening conditions in the country.
Her concerns have sparked renewed international attention to minority rights in Bangladesh, with questions lingering over the government’s response to safeguard religious freedoms and protect vulnerable communities.
In the Canadian Parliament, Lantsman emphasised the need for accountability and protection of minority rights, citing over 2,000 violent incidents targeting Hindus in Bangladesh in 2024 alone.
The issue has resonated with the Bangladeshi Hindu diaspora in Canada, who are demanding greater international scrutiny and diplomatic pressure to ensure safety and justice for minorities in Bangladesh.
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Her response came following a petition by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), titled “Urge Canadian Lawmakers to Save Bangladeshi Hindus from Genocide.”
The petition urged immediate parliamentary attention to the accelerating persecution of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, including the targeted murders of Dipu Chandra Das and several others. Compounding this crisis, Bangladeshi Hindu leaders who attempt peaceful advocacy are themselves targeted. The continued imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a senior monk detained since November 2024 on questionable charges and denied basic legal relief, sends a chilling message to minority communities.
The recent incidents have inflicted deep trauma on the Hindu community in Canada, many of whom have their loved ones in Bangladesh. Human rights reporting has repeatedly warned that weakened governance, disinformation, and failures of law enforcement have created conditions in which mob violence has become normalised, and minorities are left unprotected.
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The CoHNA urged Canadian parliament members, senators, and County Councils and City Councils to publicly condemn the lynchings and the broader, ongoing pattern of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
It also asked Global Affairs Canada to issue a clear and public call for accountability and minority protection, and to raise these concerns directly with Dhaka.
Moreover, the petition urged Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to facilitate expedited resettlement of the most vulnerable Bangladeshi Hindus, particularly women and children, under the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP).
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