Bangladesh is one of the largest sources of South Asian asylum appeals, second only to Pakistan. Our Bangladesh reports most often deal with party-political risk, the treatment of Hindu and other religious minorities, LGBTQ+ claims under section 377 of the Penal Code, and violence against women including acid attacks.
Every Bangladesh report now has to address the change of government in August 2024, when Sheikh Hasina left the country after mass student-led protests. The report explains how this affects the appellant's specific affiliation: some Awami League supporters now face more risk than before, while some BNP and Jamaat supporters may face arguments that their circumstances have changed. Because the situation is still developing, reports are dated as near to the hearing as possible.
For minority and LGBTQ+ claims, the report looks at the appellant's district and community, including land disputes and communal attacks against Hindus, and explains how the availability of police protection depends on who holds local political power.
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| UK Asylum Claim Volume | High |
| Key Profiles | Party politics, Hindu minority, LGBTQ+, gender violence |
| UK Country Guidance | No current CG |
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Bangladesh Expert Witness: Frequently Asked Questions
- What should a Bangladesh country report cover after August 2024?
- The current position of the appellant's party or group, how police and local power structures have shifted since the transition, conditions in the home district, and an explanation of where older country material no longer applies.
- Can a Bangladesh report address a Hindu minority claim?
- Yes. It covers communal violence, land disputes and attacks during political upheaval, and assesses protection at district level, since it varies with local political control.
- Which countries do South Asia Reports cover?
- Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. Pakistan reports are handled separately at pakistancountryexpert.com.
- What is in a country condition report?
- The instructions and documents received, the expert's qualifications and sources, an account of current conditions relevant to the appellant, answers to each question in the letter of instruction, and a declaration of independence and truth.
- How long does a report take?
- Usually 2 to 4 weeks once full instructions are received. Reports with several issues, such as a minority claim with internal relocation, tend to take the full 4 weeks. Urgent reports within 72 hours may be possible depending on availability.
- What should we send with the instructions?
- The asylum interview record, refusal letter, witness statement, any CPINs relied on and a letter of instruction listing the questions. Anything specific to the claim, such as party membership or evidence of UK activity, should also be included.
- Can reports be funded by Legal Aid?
- Yes. Rates are set to work within Legal Aid Agency limits. Prior authority must be obtained before instruction, and we can supply a CV, proposed scope and fee estimate for the application.
- Do Bangladesh reports written before August 2024 need updating?
- In most cases. The fall of Sheikh Hasina's government changed the position of the main political parties, so an addendum or new report addressing conditions at the hearing date is usually needed.
- Can you update a report we already have?
- Yes. Where the original report is sound but conditions have moved on, an addendum focused on what has changed is often quicker and cheaper than a new report.
- Are reports suitable for the Upper Tribunal?
- Yes. Upper Tribunal reports follow the grounds of appeal and set out their method in detail, which matters most for countries without country guidance.
- Can the expert give oral evidence?
- Where the tribunal directs it, the report's author can attend in person or remotely to be questioned on the report. Attendance is arranged and quoted separately.
- Which languages can the experts work in?
- The network includes experts able to work with sources in Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Nepali, Sinhala and Dzongkha, which allows them to use local media and documents directly.
- What is the EIN directory?
- A directory of country experts covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet. South Asia Reports instructs suitably qualified experts from this network.