Power Has Changed, But Oppression Has Not: Deaths in Prisons Continue Unabated

In Bangladesh, the government has changed and the political landscape has shifted—but the reality inside prisons appears to remain the same. Institutions once known as places of confinement are increasingly being described as death traps, according to allegations from various quarters. People are entering prisons alive and leaving as corpses, raising deep concern among the public.

According to data from Ain o Salish Kendra, at least 112 prisoners died in custody within just 15 months, from 2024 to December 2025. In the first eleven months of 2025 alone, 95 deaths were recorded. In the first two and a half months of the current year, another 13 deaths have been reported, many of them identified as political activists.

Analysts say these figures do not simply reflect natural deaths due to illness, but rather point to a deeper and more alarming crisis.

Serious allegations have also emerged surrounding the death of Abu Bakar Siddique, chairman of Kanchipara Union in Fulchhari upazila of Gaibandha. His family claims they were not informed in time about his illness and only learned of the situation after his death. They describe the incident not as mere negligence, but as inhumane treatment.

Despite the change in political leadership, concerns are growing over the lack of improvement in prison conditions. Many believe that the culture within prisons has not changed alongside the government. Field-level officials and staff remain largely the same, and as a result, similar allegations continue to surface.

As the current ruling party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) now bears responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of all prisoners. Regardless of political affiliation, no individual should be subjected to death in custody without due process.

Experts emphasize the urgent need for impartial investigations into each death. Publishing autopsy reports, identifying those responsible, and implementing reforms within the prison system are now seen as essential steps.

Human rights activists warn that failure to properly investigate these deaths will send a dangerous message—that in Bangladesh, a change in power does not end the oppression of the vulnerable. Such a reality, they argue, is deeply troubling for any democratic state.