Human Rights Watch Alleges Political Retaliation Against University Teachers and Students

Special Correspondent. Dhaka, November 4, 2026.

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International human rights organizations allege violations of the right to free expression and education, including the dismissal of teachers and expulsion of students without a transparent investigation.

More than 20 public universities in Bangladesh are arbitrarily punishing teachers and students for alleged links to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said. Punishing someone for political affiliation, support for a previous government, or peaceful political beliefs may violate international human rights law, the organization said.

The organization raised these concerns in a report titled ‘Bangladesh: Academics Allegedly Targeted for Supporting Hasina’ published on November 3, 2026. The report said that steps such as dismissal, suspension, suspension from teaching and administrative duties, and expulsion of students have been taken by various universities. In many cases, transparent and credible investigations and proper opportunities for the accused to defend themselves have not been ensured.

“Bangladesh’s universities have a long tradition of political debate and expression. A government formed through a student movement should not be afraid of political expression. Bangladesh must move forward by putting that chapter behind it, rather than repeating the repression of the past,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy director (Asia) at HRW.

He added that if retaliatory measures are taken against anyone for peacefully supporting the previous government, it would be proof that freedom of expression and assembly is not protected. Universities should be places of free thought and exchange, not institutions for establishing loyalty to the ruling government.

Allegations of 44 teachers being prevented from duty at Dhaka University

HRW has given special attention to the incident at Dhaka University in its report. According to the organization, the university’s new administration has ordered 44 teachers to refrain from performing academic and administrative duties since September 2024. At the same time, the teaching duties of another 25 teachers were restricted.

The organization alleged that there was no transparent and credible disciplinary investigation into these actions at the beginning. Later, based on the report of the investigation committee, six teachers were suspended and investigations were initiated against 14 more teachers.

In addition, 126 students of Dhaka University were temporarily expelled and their examination certificates were withheld in March 2025. A university fact-finding committee claimed that it had found photos, videos or social media information linking these students to attacks on peaceful protesters.

However, HRW said that many of the accused students have denied the allegations. The university authorities have not put in place any proper mechanism to respond to their statements. The report mentioned that there are police cases against another 277 pro-Awami League students. Many of them are not coming to campus for fear of arrest.

12 teachers suspended at Bangladesh Agricultural University, activities of 34 restricted

HRW also mentioned that action has been taken against teachers at Bangladesh Agricultural University in Mymensingh for alleged political affiliation.

According to the report, the university authorities formed an investigation commission and dismissed, suspended or removed 12 teachers from their posts. In addition, 34 more teachers were demoted or had their academic and administrative activities restricted.

According to HRW’s observations, these actions do not appear to have been taken following the university’s legal disciplinary process.

The report also highlights the case of Professor Purba Islam, a lecturer in the university’s pharmacology department who was suspended on August 4, 2025, for allegedly raising slogans at a pro-Awami League rally held on August 4, 2024.

But HRW, analyzing the video of the procession released by the Bangladesh Agricultural University Journalists Association, said that Purba Islam is not seen chanting slogans.

Yahya Khandaker, a professor in the Animal Breeding and Genetics Department at the same university, was also accused of taking a stand for Sheikh Hasina. However, he told HRW that he was with his family in Dhaka throughout the movement and not on the university campus.

The High Court has stayed his suspension order, but the Attorney General’s Office has appealed against the order, the report said.

Allegations of blocking promotions at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

The report also highlights the situation at the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University.

According to HRW, 12 teachers have been suspended and 10 others have been removed from academic activities. In addition, 85 teachers have had their promotions withheld.

The teachers alleged that they were not given the opportunity to participate in the investigation process. According to HRW, such a process may have violated the university’s disciplinary laws.

Allegations of bringing 404 teachers under investigation

The report also said that according to information published in the media in August 2026, at least 404 teachers from 22 universities have been brought under investigation for being members of a Telegram group of pro-Awami League teachers.

A professor at a government university, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, told HRW that teachers were being targeted on false charges for not supporting the 2024 student movement and for being politically involved with the Awami League.

In his words, they are unable to take classes, unable to do research, unable to do any work.

Questions also raised about allegations against Professor Mashiur Rahman

The HRW report also details the case of Mashiur Rahman, a professor of sociology at Dhaka University. He had been serving as the vice-chancellor of another university since 2017.

On September 25, 2024, he was ordered to cease all academic and administrative activities.

He was accused of calling the student movement “illegal, baseless and irrational” in a television discussion in July 2024. But HRW reviewed the video of the event and said that no such comments were found on his face.

He was also accused of inciting genocide at a meeting held at Ganabhaban on August 3, 2024. Professor Mashiur Rahman denied the allegations. He told HRW that all vice-chancellors were supposed to be present at the meeting organized by the University Grants Commission and that he was not given any evidence to support the allegations against him.

On August 31, 2026, the university authorities recommended his permanent dismissal. He is currently appealing that decision.

Also mentioned are teachers convicted of crimes against humanity.

HRW said in the report that three teachers have been convicted of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Tribunal for Bangladesh. Two of them are in prison and another is on trial.

In other words, the organization has separately mentioned the issue of prosecution and accountability for serious crimes related to the 2024 violence, in addition to allegations of retaliatory punishment due to political identity.

Call to stop repetition of political vendetta

According to HRW, Bangladesh’s universities have long been under the influence of the ruling political party. In the past, there was a tendency to appoint and promote teachers close to the ruling party and take action against teachers with opposing political ideologies.

But if the same kind of political bias and vindictive behavior resumes after a change of government, it can become dangerous for the country’s higher education and democratic environment.

The organization said it is unacceptable to punish someone solely for their political beliefs, party affiliation, or peaceful support for the previous government. At the same time, it does not deny the need for proper investigation and legal action against those involved in violence or crimes.

HRW’s main point is that criminal prosecution and political retaliation are not the same thing. Disciplinary decisions at universities should be based on specific allegations, credible evidence, and a fair investigation, not on someone’s political identity.

The report raises an important question in the new political reality of Bangladesh—if the same oppression that led to the change of power through the movement against political oppression turns against people of different ideologies under the new political power center, then where is the real achievement of democratic change?

Source: Human Rights Watch, November 3, 2026.