The United Kingdom has raised concerns over the limited implementation of proposed reforms, corruption and police accountability in Bangladesh following the July 2024 Uprising, according to a British government report.
However, the political situation has stabilised and generally improved since the uprising, during the interim government’s tenure and following the formation of a BNP-led government after the February elections, the report said.
“Political parties, journalists, civil society organisations and human rights groups reported greater freedom to operate, express views and engage in public debate than under the previous Awami League (AL) government,” it said.
The UK government website published the report, titled “Report of a Fact-Finding Mission Bangladesh: Political Situation, October 2026”, on October 14. Three officials from its Country Policy and Information Team conducted a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh from June 7 to 15 this year.
According to the report, the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party and other opposition groups could organise, campaign, protest and criticise the government freely.
Political violence continued but was generally localised and linked to disputes over local influence, business interests, resources and political control. The February election was generally peaceful and significantly less violent than previous polls, the report said.
The report noted that the Awami League remains banned, with public hostility towards the party persisting over human rights abuses during its tenure and events surrounding the July Uprising.
Most people arrested on politically motivated charges under the previous government had been released, and most cases had been withdrawn, the report said. Police sources cited in the report said more than 21,000 politically motivated or false cases had been withdrawn, while reviews of historical cases continued.
However, many AL politicians, activists and officials still faced criminal proceedings over alleged actions during the former government’s tenure and the July 2024 protests, proceeding through both the International Crimes Tribunal and ordinary courts.
Why it matters
The British government assessment provides an external diplomatic evaluation of Bangladesh's post-uprising political transition, institutional reforms, and human rights climate.