Bangladesh Country Profile on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB)
Author: Katherine Marshall
November 1, 2019
This brief highlights both historical and contemporary religious factors that threaten harmony and progress on human rights in Bangladesh. Bangladesh's predominant culture of harmonious interreligious relationships are often challenged by growing issues of hate speech, application of blasphemy laws, handling of land disputes, and tensions around madrasa education. The concept of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is understood differently among various circles in Bangladesh but has not been a leading topic of public discussion. The brief emphasizes on the importance of inter- and intra-religious dialogues as a key step towards maintaining functional religious pluralism in the country. WFDD Executive Director Katherine Marshall was a lead author on the brief, developed as part of the Southeast Asia: Advancing Inter-Religious dialogue and Freedom of Religion or Belief project.