Bangladesh sees 257 minority attacks in first half of 2026

A leading human‑rights body has documented a sharp rise in violence against minority groups across Bangladesh. Between January and June 2026, the organization recorded 257 communal incidents, ranging from murders and assaults to forced land grabs and attacks on places of worship.

The report lists 44 fatalities among the 257 cases, with several incidents involving sexual violence against women, including rape and gang‑rape. Ten cases of kidnapping, extortion and torture were also noted.

Targeted aggression towards minority homes, businesses and religious sites featured prominently. The data show 62 attacks on temples, mosques and churches, 15 attempts to seize religious property, and 47 incidents of arson or looting at private premises.

Officials presented the findings at a press conference in Dhaka, urging the government to recognise minorities as highly vulnerable groups and adopt a zero‑tolerance stance on sectarian crime.