Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has accused certain South Asian media of orchestrating a deliberate campaign to tarnish Bangladesh’s image by portraying the July 2024 uprising as an Islamist extremist movement and alleging minority rights violations.
“We are working tirelessly to foster religious harmony in Bangladesh,” Yunus said during a meeting with Stephen Schneck, Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday, May 26, 2025.
He added, “Attacks on minorities in South Asia and the genocide in Palestine are complicating the domestic situation, but we remain committed to protecting every citizen’s religious freedom.”
Addressing claims of violence against minorities, Yunus emphasised transparency, inviting journalists to investigate on the ground. “Many international journalists have already visited Bangladesh post-uprising,” he noted.
The discussion covered religious freedom, the July uprising, the interim government’s reform agenda, proposed constitutional amendments, and the Rohingya crisis.
Yunus underscored the significance of religion for Bangladesh’s 170 million people and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to religious harmony.
Responding to Schneck’s inquiries about reform commissions and constitutional amendments, Yunus said, “We are engaging with all political parties to ensure the Constitution protects minority rights and religious freedom.”
Yunus also sought USCIRF’s support to highlight the ongoing persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, noting that a special United Nations session on the issue is planned for September 2025 at his request.