Bangladesh Braces for Potential Violence as Online Hate Speech Rises Ahead of Elections
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) – Bangladesh is facing a growing risk of sectarian violence and human rights abuses fueled by a surge in harmful online content, particularly on Facebook, Amnesty International warned Monday. The organization’s report comes amid heightened political tensions following parliamentary elections on February 12 and a complex regional dynamic involving neighboring India.
The rise in inflammatory content, observed both by Amnesty International and other observers, includes misinformation targeting political parties and minority communities. Much of this content originates outside of Bangladesh, with reports indicating India as a primary source, according to media reports. This includes narratives exaggerating divisions between religious groups and accusations leveled against media outlets.
“Bangladesh is not yet in a human rights crisis, but the warning signs are visible,” said Alia Al Ghussain, Head of Big Tech Accountability at Amnesty International. “The combination of cross-border harmful content, political tension, sectarian narratives, and algorithmic amplification creates a volatile environment that could put freedom of expression and the rights of minority communities at risk.”
The concerns follow a disturbing pattern of online incitement spilling into real-world violence. In December 2025, the offices of two leading Bangladeshi media outlets, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were attacked by mobs. Investigations by The Daily Star and the local fact-checking organization Dismislab revealed that threats against both outlets had circulated on social media for months prior to the attacks. The outlets were falsely portrayed as “Indian agents” and “anti-national forces,” with online calls for their offices to be burned and attacked.
Bangladeshi authorities reportedly warned Meta about delays in addressing posts calling for violence and expressed concern about the impact on public security and minority communities.
Amnesty International’s warning comes as Bangladesh navigates a period of political transition. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following mass student-led protests in July 2024, and has since been sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to a deadly crackdown that resulted in at least 1,400 deaths. India’s refusal to extradite Hasina has strained relations between the two countries.
The organization points to Meta’s surveillance-based business model, which prioritizes user engagement, as a key factor in amplifying harmful content. While not all such content is illegal, Amnesty International argues that even lawful material can pose human rights risks when promoted by algorithms.
Amnesty International has previously documented Facebook’s role in promoting violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar and contributing to abuses during the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia. The organization is urging Meta to adopt “break the glass” emergency mitigation measures, acknowledging that the company itself has recognized the need for heightened safeguards in high-risk situations.
In a letter sent to Meta on February 10, Amnesty International requested information on the measures the company would take to prevent Facebook from posing a human rights risk, including risk assessments for vulnerable groups and identification of cross-border content. Meta responded that it would be unable to provide a response within a two-week timeframe.
Amnesty International has also requested data from Meta on reports of harmful content targeting minority communities, enforcement actions taken, staffing capacity in Bangla-language moderation, and the provision of emergency mitigation measures.
The organization emphasizes that companies have a responsibility to respect human rights and proactively prevent and mitigate human rights harms linked to their operations, independent of state regulation.
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