Freedom in the World 2026: Rebuilding Democracy Beyond Hasina’s Authoritarian Scars
The Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2026 report highlights a critical juncture in Bangladesh’s democratic trajectory, detailing how the 15-year rule of the Awami League government plunged the nation’s democratic framework into a deep crisis through the systematic suppression of political opponents, the politicisation of state institutions, and the curtailment of civic freedoms. According to the report, the regime consolidated its authority by harassing opposition leaders and exerting control over state mechanisms, culminating in the grimmest chapter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic rule when lethal force was unleashed to suppress the July-August 2024 mass uprising.
The fall of the Awami League regime following the student-led revolt marked a pivotal shift, eventually leading to Hasina being convicted in absentia in separate legal proceedings on charges including crimes against humanity. However, independent observers raised concerns regarding whether international standards of due process were strictly maintained during these trials, underscoring that beyond ending authoritarian rule, establishing true justice and the rule of law remains a significant challenge. Freedom House awarded Bangladesh an overall freedom score of 44 out of 100, a one-point drop from the previous year’s score of 45, thereby continuing to categorise the nation as ‘Partly Free’.
Following the assumption of office by the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus in August 2024, the political and civic space experienced relative openness alongside the initiation of key reform measures. Nevertheless, Freedom House’s assessment indicates that under Dr. Yunus’s administration, concerns regarding political vendettas, extrajudicial violence, and freedom of expression were not entirely dispelled. The absence of an active parliament throughout 2025, persistent allegations of harassment faced by journalists and ordinary citizens for their public remarks, and heightened safety concerns among religious minorities further complicated the delicate democratic transition.
In light of this reality, an important opportunity has emerged for a BNP-led government to bring about structural transformations in state governance and break away from past repressive political practices. The fundamental responsibility of an elected administration lies in respecting the public mandate, guaranteeing the political rights of opposition parties, freeing public administration from partisan influence, and enforcing strict accountability within law enforcement agencies. To prevent a recurrence of past authoritarianism, ensuring institutional checks and balances, an independent judiciary, and robust press freedom remains absolutely indispensable for long-term stability.
Ultimately, geopolitical analysts emphasise that the paramount question facing Bangladesh today is whether it can build a stable, inclusive democratic system. While the Freedom House evaluation covers the events of 2025 and does not serve as a direct assessment of a future BNP government’s performance, evaluating its ultimate success will depend on concrete actions moving forward. Should political leaders prioritise citizens’ rights, anti-corruption measures, freedom of speech, and the security of all communities, a solid foundation for guiding the nation toward a positive democratic trajectory can be established.
