Newsman: The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has issued a statement regarding the human rights of parliamentarians in Bangladesh expressing concern over the detention of over 100 former lawmakers including the honorary president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Mr.Saber Hossain Chowdhury and the death of a former minister in custody. Inter-Parliamentary Union Governing Council said in a press released that the alleged human rights violations are ;Threats, acts of intimidation , Arbitrary arrest and detention , Inhumane conditions of detention ,Lack of due process in proceedings against them.
The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union calls on the interim authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the creation and preservation of conditions conducive to the holding of free, fair and transparent elections announced for early 2026, the outcome of which can be accepted by all stakeholders; reaffirms the readiness of the IPU to provide support to these efforts; and requests in this regard the competent authorities to communicate, at the earliest opportunity, official information on how such assistance can most effectively be provided. Decision adopted unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at its 216th session (Geneva, 23 October 2025).
The complainants according to the press released report that Mr. S. Chowdhury, Honorary President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), faces numerous charges – including sedition, conspiracy, unlawful assembly, use of explosives and multiple counts of murder – arising from incidents between 2015 and 2024. The IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has been reviewing and making decisions.
The complainants report that Mr. S. Chowdhury, Honorary President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), faces numerous charges – including sedition, conspiracy, unlawful assembly, use of explosives and multiple counts of murder – arising from incidents between 2015 and 2024.
The IPU reports that these former parliamentarians face multiple criminal proceedings and that the detentions have occurred under circumstances similar to other reported cases. The organization’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has previously made decisions and recommendations concerning the situation, as noted in recent IPU documents.
The IPU has received reports of the detention of more than 100 former parliamentarians, who are members of the Awami League and these former parliamentarians are reportedly facing multiple ongoing criminal proceedings. Released statement said, the IPU has also received a report about the death of Mr. Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, a former Minister of Industry, while in custody in September 2025.
On 2 October 2025, the President of the Global Center for Democratic Governance (GCDG) met the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General, Mr. Martin Chungong, and the IPU Human Rights Team at Geneva, Switzerland, and handed over reports of GCDG on 122 arrested MPs, including 15 Women MPs of the Bangladesh Parliament. Those who are currently in detention in Bangladesh are facing multiple ongoing criminal proceedings.
Among them, Heroic Freedom Fighter and former minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun died in custody on 29 September 2025. Eight other MPs are on temporary bail.
The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union expresses its firm hope, therefore, that the interim authorities will take all necessary measures to ensure that candidates from all political parties, including the Awami League, and their supporters are able to fully exercise their fundamental right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, on an equal footing with other parties and their supporters.
The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union took the decision as readouts;
1. Notes with interest the assurances provided by the interim government that the current administration in Bangladesh is committed to restoring the rule of law and addressing the numerous challenges it faces in this regard; and regrets, however, the absence of responses to the various formal communications and requests for information sent to the authorities since August 2024;
2. Regrets also that, on two separate occasions, the independent trial observer mandated by the IPU to monitor the legal proceedings in the present cases was unable to travel to Bangladesh owing to delays in the issuance of the necessary visas; further regrets that repeated requests for support in facilitating the preparations for an IPU mission, including the timely delivery of visas for an IPU delegation to visit Bangladesh, have thus far remained unanswered;
3. Reiterates its deep concern at the continued detention of Mr. Fazle Karim Chowdhury, Mr. Asaduzzaman Noor, Mr. Mosharraf Hossain and Mr. Muhammad Faruk Khan, in the light of the disturbing allegations of the appalling conditions of detention and the irreversible effects that these conditions are allegedly having on their health; recalls that the State of Bangladesh has a heightened duty of care to take all necessary measures to protect the lives of these four former members of parliament since, by arresting them, it has assumed responsibility for their lives and physical integrity; urges , in this regard, the competent authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure the full enjoyment of their rights, in particular their right to life, as a matter of urgency, including considering allowing them to receive proper medical treatment from a doctor of their choice and releasing them on bail on humanitarian grounds on a case-by-case basis; and requests the competent Bangladeshi authorities to keep it informed of any measures taken in this regard;
4. Remains deeply concerned about the allegations of serious violations of the right to a fair trial in the proceedings against the six former parliamentarians listed in the present case, as well as about the nature and severity of the charges, some of which reportedly may carry the death penalty, and at allegations suggesting that the initiation and proliferation of criminal proceedings against former members of the Awami League may be politically motivated; requests in this regard, once again, the relevant authorities to provide official and detailed information on the facts justifying each of the charges brought against them; and urges the competent authorities to guarantee that these cases are handled fairly and independently, fully respecting international fair trial standards;
5. Reiterates its wish to mandate a trial observer to monitor the upcoming court proceedings in the present collective case; calls on the relevant authorities to extend their full cooperation to the IPU, including by ensuring timely communications and facilitating the issuance of visas to enable independent observation; and wishes to be kept informed of the dates of the trials when available and of any other relevant judicial developments in the case;
6. Reiterates its wish to send a delegation to Bangladesh as soon as possible in order to meet with the authorities responsible for exercising legislative, executive and judicial powers, as well as with the prison authorities and any other institution, civil society organization or individual in a position to provide relevant information regarding the situation of the six former parliamentarians; tasks the delegation with visiting those in detention; and reiterates its hope that the relevant national authorities will cooperate fully and that the mission will help to find satisfactory solutions to this case swiftly and in accordance with applicable national and international human rights standards;
7. Recognizes that the issues raised in the present case form part of the broader and complex situation in Bangladesh, which can ultimately be resolved only through the genuine and collective engagement of Bangladeshis themselves; strongly urges all relevant political actors to act responsibly and in good faith, and to engage without delay in an inclusive, credible and results-oriented political dialogue aimed at establishing a new social pact through participatory, transparent and non-violent means, in full conformity with the State’s international human rights obligations; calls on the interim authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the creation and preservation of conditions conducive to the holding of free, fair and transparent elections announced for early 2026, the outcome of which can be accepted by all stakeholders; reaffirms the readiness of the IPU to provide support to these efforts; and requests in this regard the competent authorities to communicate, at the earliest opportunity, official information on how such assistance can most effectively be provided;
8. Recalls, as stated in the IPU’s Universal Declaration on Democracy, that the “key element in the exercise of democracy is the holding of free and fair elections … enabling the people’s will to be expressed … on the basis of universal, equal and secret suffrage so that all voters can choose their representatives in conditions of equality, openness and transparency”; and expresses its firm hope, therefore, that the interim authorities will take all necessary measures to ensure that candidates from all political parties, including the Awami League, and their supporters are able to fully exercise their fundamental right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, on an equal footing with other parties and their supporters;
9. Requests the Secretary General to convey this decision to the relevant authorities of Bangladesh and the complainants;
10. Decides to continue examining this case.
The case Summary
According to the complainants, the six former members of the Bangladesh Parliament named in the present case are victims of a revenge spree against prominent members of the ousted Awami League party, of which they were recognized figures. Mr. Habibe Millat was a member of parliament in the previous parliamentary term, which ended in January 2024, while Mr. Saber Chowdhury, Mr. Fazle Chowdhury, Mr. Asaduzzaman Noor, Mr. Mosharraf Hossain and Mr. Muhammad Faruk Khan were all sitting parliamentarians at the time of the dissolution of parliament in August 2024.
Parliament affiliated to the IPU state that due process has not been followed in the proceedings against him. More than 30 cases are still under investigation and key details are yet to be disclosed. A case has also been brought against him and his wife before the Anti-Corruption Commission, which is ongoing. On 5 October 2024, Mr. S.Chowdhury was arrested and brought to court the following day. Pictures and videos provided by the complainants and available on the internet show Mr. S. Chowdhury entering and leaving the court building with his physical integrity visibly at risk, with eggs, stones and blunt objects being thrown at him. The complainants report that, in this context, Mr. S. Chowdhury was hit on the head with a brick, resulting in severe trauma. On 7 October 2024, he was granted bail in six of the cases for which he had been detained. However, other cases, including at least seven for murder, remain pending, which could result in his re-arrest at any time. Upon his release, Mr. S. Chowdhury was immediately taken to a hospital to receive medical treatment for the injuries sustained in the court building the day before.
Medical documentation confirms that he has sustained serious injuries requiring specialized treatment available only outside the country. However, due to his travel ban, he has been unable to access the medical care he needs. According to the complainants, in addition to the alleged politically motivated legal proceedings, Mr. S. Chowdhury’s personal safety is under threat. The complainants report that his family residence was attacked and set on fire on 5 August 2024, with the assailants allegedly tatting their intent to murder Mr. S. Chowdhury and his family.
Mr. F. K. Chowdhury, former member and president of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, was arrested on 12 September 2024 and has since reportedly been detained under harsh conditions. His specialized medical needs for heart disease, diabetes and kidney complications have allegedly been denied, leading to a severe deterioration in his health and placing his life in imminent danger. He has allegedly been subjected to psychological abuse, including humiliating media broadcasts, and his safety in prison is reportedly under threat by assassination plots attributed to political opponents. The complainants maintain that urgent medical treatment abroad is essential, as care in Bangladesh would expose him to additional risks, including mob violence. Mr. F.K. Chowdhury faces multiple criminal charges – among them murder, extortion and bribery – which the complainants describe as politically motivated and unfounded. His family home was attacked, employees were killed in politically driven violence, and social media campaigns have incited violence against him, his family and his legal counsel. Previous court appearances have been marked by violent mobs calling for his execution and attempting to physically assault him, raising serious concerns that future hearings will likewise endanger his life and security.
According to the complainants, Mr. Millat’s residence in Sirajganj was attacked and set on fire during anti-government protests in early August 2024. His house was vandalized and set on fire on 4 August, looted on 5 August, and then set on fire again. Later that month, three murder cases were filed against him, alleging that he had ordered attacks on a protest march in Sirajganj in August 2024. In the subsequent months, additional proceedings were initiated in connection with events said to have occurred during his tenure as a member of parliament, including charges of extortion and murder. The complainants assert that these allegations are fabricated. Fearing for his safety, Mr. Millat is currently in exile.
According to the complainants, Mr. Noor was arrested without a warrant on 15 September 2024 and brought to court the following day in connection with a murder case. Since then, he has been detained in Keraniganj central prison without formal charges. He is accused in at least three separate murder cases brought following deaths during the anti-government protests in July and August 2024, along with several co-accused in each case. The complainants provided information on discrepancies in the cases, which had allegedly been ignored by the authorities. They also allege that the police have failed to provide any investigation reports detailing how Mr. Noor is connected to the crimes of which he is accused. Despite Mr. Noor’s advanced age and severe health conditions, including heart disease, spinal degeneration, diabetes and asthma, all bail applications have been denied. He has also been denied the right to receive visits from his family and to make telephone calls. The complainants assert that Mr. Noor’s health is worsening, and that without urgent medical intervention his life is at great risk. The complainants have also reported intense pressure to transport him to North Bengal for court hearings, despite repeated submissions to the court highlighting the serious risks that such a long road journey would pose, given his advanced spinal degeneration. Medical documentation already on record indicates that any further strain could result in permanent disability. Furthermore, he requires regular therapy to manage his pain but has been unable to access such treatment for several months.
Mr. Hossain was arrested at his residence on 27 October 2024 in connection with an incident that took place in 2022, despite reportedly having an alibi for the time of the alleged event. The complainants allege that Mr. Hossain has been charged without concrete evidence or due process. Both his initial bail application and a subsequent application, which included a request for medical care, have been denied. The complainants also report that Mr. Hossain suffers from Parkinson’s disease, heart and lung disease and other serious conditions, and requires constant medical monitoring and physiotherapy. The prison facilities where he is being held lack the necessary infrastructure for his care, which has led to an alarming deterioration in his health. On 9 December 2024, the High Court granted Mr. Hossain bail. However, the Attorney General filed a motion to stay the bail order. On 19 ecember 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the stay, while ordering the authorities to ensure his medical care. According to the complainants, this order has not been implemented. Family members who have visited him in prison report that he has lost an alarming mount of weight and that his mobility has worsened. The complainants state that without urgent adequate medical intervention, Mr. Hossain’s life remains at serious risk.
According to the complainants, Mr. Khan was arrested without a warrant on 15 October 2024, while undergoing physiotherapy at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka Cantonment. He was allegedly not allowed to collect his medication before being taken into custody. Despite his advanced age and health conditions, which include Parkinson’s disease, hypertension and post-stroke complications, no adequate arrangements have been made for his care, all bail applications have been denied, and he remains in custody under harsh conditions. According to the complainants, Mr. Khan was initially arrested in connection with a murder case for an incident in December 2022 involving the death of a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The complainants assert that the case documents fail to establish a link between Mr. Khan and the crime of which he is accused. Additional charges have been brought against him in connection with deaths during the 2024 student-led protests. He has also been named in a case before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), where he and other former officials face unclear allegations. In this case, Mr. Khan and 13 other co-accused former government officials were brought before the ICT for a hearing on 18 November 2024. The defence lawyers reported that, despite several attempts to obtain clarification, no details of the specific charges against Mr. Khan had been provided. The same applied to all the cases brought against him, which has prevented Mr. Khan’s legal team from adequately preparing his defence. The complainants also report that Mr. Khan’s lawyers have been subjected to aggressive behaviour within the court premises.
The IPU has received reports indicating that more than 100 former parliamentarians, all members of the Awami League, are currently in detention in Bangladesh, facing multiple ongoing criminal proceedings. These detentions appear to have taken place under circumstances very similar to those described in the situations outlined above. Reports have also been received regarding the death of Mr. Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun in custody on 29 September 2025. At the time of the dissolution of parliament in August 2024, he was a sitting member of parliament and Minister for Industry. It is also reported that several former members of parliament in detention have begun a hunger strike following the death of their fellow inmate.
In the context of ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication with the interim government, the IPU leadership has received assurances that the relevant national authorities remain fully committed to upholding the rule of law. However, on two separate occasions, the independent trial observer mandated by the IPU to monitor the legal proceedings in these cases was unable to travel to Bangladesh, as the necessary visas were not granted on time and the repeated requests for support in facilitating visa delivery for an IPU delegation to travel to Bangladesh remain unanswered.
