Mob Lynchings and Declining Trust in the Justice SystemMob Lynchings and Declining Trust in the Justice System A recent report by Ain O Salish Kendra highlights the alarming increase in mob lynchings in Bangladesh, with at least 32 people killed in the first six months of 2024. These incidents, along with other forms of violence such as gang violence and custodial deaths, reflect a growing crisis of law and order. One of the major contributing factors to the rise in mob lynchings is the public’s declining trust in the justice system. Ain O Salish Kendra cites cases where investigations have stalled or victims’ families have had to wait years for justice to be served. This lack of faith in the system perpetuates a cycle of violence, as people resort to extrajudicial measures to address perceived injustices. The report also points to the prevalence of gang violence and human rights violations by law enforcement agencies as contributing factors. In 2009-2019, there were over 1,150 incidents of gang violence reported. The number of deaths in law enforcement custody has also increased significantly in recent years, raising concerns about police brutality. Furthermore, the report notes that victims of gender-based violence and those with political or financial influence often face challenges in obtaining justice. The case of the mayor of Bera in Pabna, who has avoided arrest despite an arrest warrant for financial crimes, is a prime example of how influence can undermine accountability. The government must take immediate action to address the public’s lack of confidence in the justice system and the decline in law and order. This includes ensuring credible investigations into all cases of mob violence, addressing rights violations by law enforcement officials, and strengthening the justice system to ensure fair and timely justice for all citizens.
A NUMBER of incidents of mob lynchings, reported quarterly by Ain O Salish Kendra, are not only a worrying sign of crimes but also of people’s declining trust in the justice system. At least 32 people are reported to have been killed in mob violence in January-June, more than the number reported for the corresponding period of 2023. In April, two were killed and five others seriously injured in mob violence when people suspected they were involved in an arson attack on a temple in Faridpur. In July 2019, a woman was beaten to death in Badda and in July 2011, a mob killed six youths near Aminbazar Bridge in Dhaka. Such incidents trigger public protests and prompt civil society groups to raise concerns about law and order. Ain O Salish Kendra also blames the situation on a lack of public trust in the justice system. In the first two cases, little progress had been made in the investigation, and in the third case, the victims’ families had to wait about ten years for a ruling from a lower court.
Gang violence is a public concern. Rights group Odhikar also reports that there were 1,150 incidents of gang violence in 2009-2019. In a period of declining law and order, it is not surprising that gang violence is on the rise, especially when human rights violations by law enforcement agencies are routinely reported. The number of deaths in law enforcement custody reportedly doubled in January-June compared to the corresponding period in 2023. At least eight, including two women, died in custody. One of the victims, Afroza Begum, died in police custody in Abhaynagar, Jashore, hours after she was picked up on June 2. The family alleges that the police first framed Afroza in a false drugs case and tortured her to death for money. Victims of gender-based violence also complain of an unfavorable legal environment. Moreover, there is also concern that people with political and financial influence may escape legal accountability, as is evident from the recent case of the mayor of Bera in Pabna. The police have not arrested the mayor of Bera for over two and a half years, despite an arrest warrant being issued against him because his company failed to pay Tk 191.63 crore to the state.
The government must therefore immediately address the public’s lack of confidence in the justice system. It must also ensure credible investigations into all cases of mob violence and address factors contributing to the decline in law and order, including rights violations by law enforcement officials.
