Meet four students speaking out on what they expect from Bangladesh’s new government

20 February 2026

Following Bangladesh's national elections last week, the new government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn into power today. The elections - the first since nationwide student-led protests deposed the government of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 - are widely seen as a pivotal moment for human rights in Bangladesh.

Since the country was founded in 1971, successive administrations have failed to respect the human rights obligations laid down in its constitution, with violations including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and repression of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. commonplace.

Here, four young Bangladeshis, united in their hope that the new government will make a break with the past, share their expectations on what it must deliver.

Omar Faruk

Women, so-called lower-caste communities, and marginalized groups face disproportionate risks due to systemic inequality.

In many societies, women are primarily responsible for water collection, food security, and household care. Climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones increase their workload, expose them to health risks, and limit their access to education and economic opportunities.

"A just climate response must challenge social hierarchies while protecting the environment."

Marginalized communities often live in environmentally fragile areas with limited infrastructure and state support. When disasters strike, these communities face greater displacement, loss of livelihood, and barriers to recovery due to social exclusion.

Addressing climate change without considering gender and caste intersections risks reinforcing existing injustices. A just climate response must challenge social hierarchies while protecting the environment. Only through inclusive and rights-based approaches can climate justice contribute to long-term sustainability and human dignity and justice."

Umma Sadia Prapty

The younger generation in Bangladesh is increasingly educated, globally connected, and politically aware, so these rights are particularly important for them. Young people use social media platforms to share their opinions, communicate with one another, and bring reforms in areas such as climate justice, economic rights, and democratic participation.

"We need laws that protect freedom of expression and association that allow people to enjoy their rights legally without fear of being targeted."

Yet, restrictive political laws and the lack of proper legal safeguards can discourage youth engagement or push activism underground.

Instead, we need laws that protect freedom of expression and association that allow people to enjoy their rights legally without fear of being targeted. Governance should be transparent and accountable to the people. The press should be allowed to publish news and events freely without being pressured by political actors. Youth participation in policymaking should be ensured by creating youth councils or civic forums. By strengthening these pillars of civic life, Bangladesh can build a democratic culture that nurtures good governance, empowers all people, and strengthens justice, accountability, and shared progress."

Tahsin Ahmed Tanmoy

Silence often feels safer than speaking out, even when issues directly affect our lives. Many young people hesitate before raising their voices, weighing their desire to speak against the risks of being labeled as troublemakers.

Many young people in Bangladesh face obstacles when they try to organize or participate in peaceful protests. They face administrative restrictions, fear of retaliation, or social pressure to remain silent. Over time, this creates an environment where exercising a fundamental right feels risky.

"We want a country where peaceful protest is protected rather than criminalized."

The impact goes beyond individual fear. When peaceful protest is discouraged, trust in democratic institutions begins to erode. Young people start to feel that their voices matter only at specific moments, rather than as part of an ongoing democratic process. This distances an entire generation from meaningful participation.

Our expectations are clear and reasonable. We want a country where peaceful protest is protected rather than criminalized, where law enforcement safeguards rights instead of intimidating those who exercise them, and where dissent is recognized as a contribution to society rather than a threat.

A confident and legitimate government does not fear peaceful protest. It understands that listening to criticism strengthens governance and builds long-term stability."

Md. Nahid Hasan Sharif

"Open and equitable trials must be held for those who ordered the deadly force."

The regime's overthrow on 5 August was not the end of our role. I participated in the victory processions, but I also realized that a city without leaders needs its youth. I went back on the streets in the days that followed, but this time with duty rather than slogans. I controlled traffic when the system failed, stood watch at police stations to stop violence, and painted graffiti that expressed resistance and hope on the walls of our city.

Throughout the election, we have been calling for a New Social Contract that holds people in positions of authority to account. We're calling for complete rehabilitation for all those injured [during the protests] by the state, including guarantees of employment and financial security. We need institutional reform that safeguards the public, and ensures that no one is ever covertly detained for their opinions. Open and equitable trials must be held for those who ordered the deadly force."

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