Global Coalition Demands Action on Alleged 'Genocide' of Hindus in Bangladesh

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 16, 2026 – A global alliance of 125 organizations across 15 countries has issued an urgent appeal for international intervention to halt what it describes as the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Bangladesh. Coordinated by the Hindus Advancing Human Rights Initiative (HAHRI), an arm of HinduPACT, the coalition submitted a detailed appeal to global powers, accusing the international community of ignoring a systematic campaign of violence and forced displacement that has intensified during the nation's recent political turmoil.

"The Hindus of Bangladesh are the indigenous peoples of the country entitled to have their life and culture protected from discrimination under the UN Convention on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007. What we are seeing is the exact opposite," said Rahul Sur, Executive Director of HAHRI, in a statement. "It is not episodic violence or isolated lawlessness. It is a sustained human rights crisis rooted in impunity. The international community has a moral and legal obligation to intervene before an entire indigenous religious community is erased through ethnic cleansing."

A Pattern of Escalating Violence

The coalition's appeal points to a sharp escalation in attacks on religious minorities since the dramatic resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Independent human rights bodies corroborate this trend. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) documented over 2,600 atrocities, including 82 killings of Hindus, between August and November 2024 alone. The United Nations itself has reported "widespread attacks" against Hindu homes, businesses, and temples, often met with an insufficient police response.

A focal point of the recent violence was the brutal public lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker, on December 18, 2025. Das was falsely accused of blasphemy, beaten, and set on fire by a mob. Subsequent investigations found no evidence to support the allegation, highlighting a disturbing pattern where unsubstantiated blasphemy claims are used as a pretext for mob violence. Reports from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and other monitors have consistently noted the use of such tactics to justify murders, temple desecration, and land seizures targeting the Hindu community.

Human Rights Watch has also noted that attacks on religious minorities were on the rise in the lead-up to the February 2026 general elections, stating that the interim government, which has now concluded its term, failed to adequately protect fundamental human rights.

The Vanishing Community

Underpinning the alliance's charge of genocide is a stark demographic collapse. In 1951, Hindus constituted approximately 22% of the population in what was then East Pakistan. According to Bangladesh's most recent census data from 2022, that figure has plummeted to just 7.95%. Advocates and human rights experts argue this is not a natural demographic shift but rather the result of a decades-long, low-intensity campaign of persecution that forces Hindus to flee their ancestral homeland.

This decline has been driven by recurring waves of violence and systemic discrimination. Discriminatory property laws, such as the Vested Property Act, have historically been used to dispossess Hindus of their land, creating economic pressure to emigrate. Furthermore, periods of political instability have consistently seen the Hindu minority targeted, often due to their perceived support for the Awami League party. This pattern was observed after elections in 2001 and 2014 and has re-emerged with brutal force following the 2024 political transition.

International Pressure Amid Political Transition

The alliance has issued specific demands to major global actors. It calls on the U.S. government to designate Bangladesh as a "Country of Particular Concern" for religious freedom violations and dispatch a fact-finding mission. It urges the European Union to condition trade agreements on measurable improvements in minority protections. The appeal also asks the United Nations to establish a monitoring mechanism and for the Government of India to prepare humanitarian measures for displaced Hindus.

These calls for action land at a moment of profound political change in Bangladesh. On February 16, the same day the appeal was announced, interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus resigned, paving the way for a new government. The Yunus-led administration, formed in August 2024 to oversee new elections, was heavily criticized by rights groups for its failure to stem the violence against minorities. Christian Solidarity International even reported to the UN that the interim government had filed "spurious charges" against hundreds of minority community leaders.

While the U.S. State Department and UN experts have previously expressed grave concerns, the coalition argues that statements are no longer enough. India's Ministry of External Affairs has also strongly condemned the attacks, stating the primary responsibility for protecting minorities lies with the Government of Bangladesh.

A Global Campaign for Awareness

Frustrated by what they see as global apathy, Hindu communities and their allies have launched a multi-pronged advocacy campaign. On January 31, grassroots rallies were held in over 25 U.S. cities, demonstrating broad community concern. HAHRI also initiated a parallel signature campaign addressed to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, which has garnered thousands of signatures worldwide.

"Petitions, rallies, and formal submissions together demonstrate that this concern is not limited to policy circles," Rahul Sur noted. "Ordinary citizens across faiths are demanding that universal human rights standards be applied consistently."

Through its awareness campaign, HAHRI is disseminating verified reports and survivor testimonies to counter what it calls a narrative of silence and misinformation. As a new government prepares to take power in Dhaka, this global coalition is determined to ensure that the fate of Bangladesh's dwindling Hindu community is not ignored.