Targeted Attacks on Religious Sites and Minority Homes Rise in Bangladesh

A surge in assaults on places of worship and minority residences has been documented across Bangladesh. The human‑rights organization recorded 62 incidents where statues were defaced, sacred structures looted or set ablaze, and 15 attempts to forcibly occupy religious land.

Another 47 cases involved vandalism, arson and looting of minority-owned homes and commercial premises. The report also notes 21 instances where authorities or local actors seized property belonging to minority families under the pretext of illegal occupation.

These figures form part of a broader tally of 2,055 attacks on minority households and businesses recorded from August 2024 to June 2026, causing long‑term economic hardship for affected families.

The council called on the Bangladeshi government to label minorities and indigenous peoples as highly sensitive groups, guaranteeing protection and implementing a strict zero‑tolerance policy toward sectarian aggression.