The Spotlight, Volume-1, Issue-13

Spotlight Issue 13 arrives at a critical moment in Bangladesh’s political history, documenting an escalating democratic, humanitarian, and constitutional crisis. This issue highlights how the unelected interim government’s ban on the Awami League—Bangladesh’s largest political party—has destabilized the political order, empowered extremist groups, and threatened regional security in South Asia.

The lead article, “Bangladesh’s Election Crisis: Excluding the Awami League Could Destabilize South Asia,” by Prof. Dr. Md. Habibe Millat, provides an in-depth analysis of how the ban undermines democratic legitimacy and risks empowering Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist forces. It also examines the geopolitical consequences for India, China, the United States, and the broader region.

The second major article, “Minority and Women Rights During the Interim Government,” reveals a disturbing rise in targeted violence against Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and indigenous communities, along with a surge in sexual violence against women and girls. Statistical tables on pages 8–9 highlight alarming numbers, including 2,442 attacks on minorities documented between August 2024 and June 2025 and hundreds of rape cases within months.

The third feature, “Hope Hijacked: Bangladesh’s Descent into Darkness,” examines how the Gen-Z-led quota movement was hijacked by anti-liberation and foreign-backed forces, resulting in nationwide lawlessness, the burning of 460 police stations, the release of militants, and attacks on cultural icons and secular institutions.

This issue also includes GCDG’s briefing with Canadian MP Brad Redekopp on human rights and political exclusion, as well as the World Media Watch section documenting international reactions to the Sheikh Hasina verdict and the erosion of due process in Bangladesh.

Together, Issue 13 presents a comprehensive picture of Bangladesh’s current crossroads—where democracy, minority rights, rule of law, and national identity face unprecedented threats.

ISSN 2819-2311 | Published by the Global Centre for Democratic Governance (GCDG)