Source: European Asylum Support Office
The newly published Country of Origin Information (COI) report on Bangladesh provides information on the political context and human rights situation in the country, with a particular focus on the aftermath of the student protests of July – August 2024 that led to a change of government and policies.
The current political context in Bangladesh stems from student protests in July-August 2024, triggered by the reinstatement of a civil service quota system. Following a violent crackdown by security forces, the protests escalated into a nationwide movement. With growing public support, the protests forced then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India and led to the resignation of her government after 15 years in power.
A new interim government, led by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has been tasked with leading the country until the next election which is foreseen to take place in the first half of 2026.
The interim government is trying to forge consensus among political parties on a reform plan ahead of the election, aimed at restoring democratic institutions. Reforms have not yet been implemented, but the interim government has initiated accountability efforts for abuse committed by State actors under the former government, inter alia by signing the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED) and setting up an inquiry commission to investigate enforced disappearances under the former government.
The interim government has however been facing challenges with a deteriorating law-and-order situation, marked by increasing mob violence and incidents of violence against women and girls. Retaliatory violence has also been targeting supporters of the former government. The Hindu community has been experiencing several attacks with intersecting motives but often based on a perceived affiliation with the former government.
Italy remains the main receiving country for Bangladeshi asylum seekers
EUAA’s asylum statistics show that asylum applications by Bangladeshi nationals reached an all-time high in March 2024, with 4 300 applications. After that, asylum applications fell slightly in the second half of the year and have remained largely stable between October 2024 and May 2025. Italy was the main receiving EU+ country, with over three quarters of all Bangladeshi applications being lodged there between January and May 2025.
Around 16 000 first instance decisions have been issued to Bangladeshi nationals in 2025 so far. Three quarters of the decisions in 2025 were issued by Italy, and the overall recognition rate was slightly below 3 %, in line with the previous periods. After reaching an all-time high in January 2025 (48 000), the number of cases pending at first instance has fluctuated. At the end of May 2025, over three quarters of them had been pending for more than six months; 9 out of 10 of which, were in Italy.
Background
The EUAA regularly updates its Country of Origin information reports, which aim to provide accurate and reliable up-to-date information on third countries to support EU+ national asylum and migration authorities involved in migration and international protection procedures.
The report was prepared in accordance with the EUAA COI Report Methodology and was drafted by EUAA COI Sector’s researchers. The report was reviewed by several COI Units in EU+ countries. This information is a crucial component when assessing individual protection needs.