According to human rights groups, authorities continued to prohibit gatherings by
opposition groups and imposed what observers saw as unreasonable requirements
for permits. Occasionally police or ruling party activists used force to disperse
demonstrations assembled by opposition parties, organizations, and activists.
Opposition leaders and activists reported numerous restrictions towards
organizations throughout the year. The opposition BNP was regularly denied
permission to hold events or intimidated by authorities and ruling party activists at
their events. On September 17, media reported the government had adopted a
policy to confine BNP programs to specific locations within Dhaka. In March
Amnesty International released its 2021-22 report, in which it stated, “Peaceful
protests by opposition political parties and students were prevented and suppressed
by the authorities, on some occasions using excessive force.”
In July a man was killed and at least 40 injured in Bhola after police opened fire on
opposition BNP activists protesting energy-sector mismanagement and power cuts.
Police subsequently filed two charges against more than 400 BNP leaders and
activists. In September several BNP party members were injured after activists of
the ruling Awami League party attacked a candlelit program in Dhaka’s Banani
area. The BNP had announced the program to protest price increases of essential
commodities and the recent killings of three party activists by police. In response
to the violence, leaders of political parties in alliance with the Awami League
spoke out condemning the attacks and claimed such violence moved the country in
a backward direction.
On September 19, media reported that since August 22, three BNP members were
killed and more than 2,100 injured in clashes between police and Awami League
activists in protests regarding the rising cost of living. According to the BNP, in
September more than 220 of its members had been arrested and police had filed at
least 65 charges against at least 4,100 named and more than 20,500 unnamed
members of the party. They also claimed ruling party members vandalized the
houses and businesses of BNP party members in at least 60 incidents.
Freedom of Association
The law provides for the right of citizens to form associations, subject to
Page 21