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Congressional Research Service
I form g the legeslative debate since 1914
Bangladesh
Updated May 14, 2019
Bangladesh (the former East Pakistan) is a Muslim-majority
nation in South Asia, bordering India and Burma on the
Bay of Bengal. It is the world's eighth most populous
country, with approximately 165 million people living in a
land area about the size of Iowa. It is a relatively poor
nation and suffers from high levels of corruption. In recent
years, its democratic system has faced an array of
challenges, including political violence, weak governance,
poverty, demographic and environmental strains, and
Islamist militancy.
The currently ruling Awami League (AL) and the
opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) dominate
Bangladeshi politics. When in opposition, both parties have
at times used demonstrations, labor strikes, and transport
blockades, as well as at the ballot box to regain control of
government. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been in
office since 2009. Her AL party won its third consecutive
term in December 2018. The next parliamentary elections
are due in 2023. Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia of the
BNP was convicted of graft in February 2018 and given a
five-year sentence. The BNP is a key component of the
opposition Jatiya Oikya Front, which rejected the 2018
election results citing irregularities. The BNP chose to join
parliament after the 2018 election. Over the past two
decades, a number of local Islamist extremist groups have
emerged, and several have conducted terrorist attacks.
Despite a strong government response, terrorist attacks
remain a threat to political stability in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's economy is projected to grow by over 7%
annually in real terms over the next several years.
Relations with the United States
The United States has long-standing and supportive
relations with Bangladesh, and Washington generally views
Bangladesh as a moderate voice in the Islamic world. In
relations with Dhaka, recent U.S. administrations, along
with many Members of Congress, have focused especially
on issues relating to ethnic Rohingya, economic
development, humanitarian concerns, labor rights, human
rights, good governance, and counterterrorism. In recent
years, the rise of Islamist militancy has been a cause of
concern for the United States, as well as for Bangladesh's
government. The two nations hold an annual Partnership
Dialogue and a Security Dialogue, and have developed a
cooperative relationship over the years to meet shared
concerns. The United States is one of Bangladesh's largest
export markets and is also the largest source of foreign
direct investment in Bangladesh.
Many Members of Congress believe that supporting
democracy, rule of law, and human rights in the Indo-
Pacific region is critical to advancing U.S. interests. H.Res.
160, Expressing concern about the threat posed to
democracy and human rights by theocratic groups operating
in South Asia, referred to the House Foreign Affairs
Committee in February 2019, and S.Res. 34, A resolution
expressing the sense of the Senate that the Governments of
Burma and Bangladesh ensure the safe, dignified,
voluntary, and sustainable return of the Rohingya
refugees, referred to the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee in January 2019, are two examples of
Congressional interest in Bangladesh.
Rohingya
Approximately one million ethnic Rohingya fleeing
persecution in Burma have fled to Bangladesh, putting
immense pressure on local communities and testing the
central government's ability to provide adequate security,
food, and sanitation. The predominantly Muslim Rohingya
have faced persecution in Buddhist-majority Burma for
years-especially in Burma's Rakhine State. Burma views
the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has criticized Burma for failure to take
meaningful steps to repatriate the Rohingya. Bangladesh
reportedly has plans to relocate over 100,000 Rohingya to
Bhashan Char, a remote island in the Bay of Bengal.
Land area: Slightly smaller than Iova
and mostly lo g delt.
Resources Atural gas, arablel
land, timber, coal paGuanEih
Natural hazards: drougLhts, cyclIones, O
extensive flooding
Ethnicity: 98.%i Bengali (2011et.
Religion: 89. rMusdim, 10% Hindu,
D .eartthef (inSudes Buddhits and
Christians) (2013 est,)
Population: 164.7 million with 12%growth (2018 est.)
Life expectancy: 73.7 yeai s (2018 nern.
GDP: per capta $4,551 ppp with 7.5 grow th (201q prjectio
GDP by sector: agricuture 14.2, industry 2q.3% ser
56.5%b (2017 est)
Exports: Poiductsr gaents, knitwfear, agricuitul fprodcets
frozen- food, jute, leather. Partners -Gefmany 129,U.S,,
12.2%11, United Kingdom 87%,, Spaiin 53,France .1 (21017)
Source: CIA 'World Factbook, Economist Intelligence Unit.
Human Rights and Religious Freedom
Many analysts and policymakers contend that human rights
and religious freedom are under threat in Bangladesh. The
Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices for 2018 highlights a number of concerns with
Bangladesh including unlawful or arbitrary killings; forced
disappearance; torture; [and] arbitrary or unlawful
detentions by the government or on its behalf.... There
were reports of widespread impunity for security force
abuses. According to the Dhaka-based human rights group
Ain O Salish Kendra, extrajudicial killings, abductions, and
enforced disappearances continued in Bangladesh in 2018,
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