The People's Republic of Bangladesh is a democratic republic whose representatives are elected by secret ballot and universal suffrage at least every 5 years. The President is head of state, and the Prime Minister exercises broad executive powers. Parliamentary elections were deemed free and fair despite sporadic violence. Party leaders appoint candidates for elections. 7 women were elected to the 300-seat Parliament. In 2005, an amendment reserved 45 parliamentary seats for women. 4 women hold ministerial positions, including that of Prime Minister. No provision is made for seats for minorities, which constitute approximately 17% of the population but hold fewer than 3% of the Parliamentary seats.

Islam is the state religion, but the government is secular. Religion, however, exerts a powerful influence on politics. Selection boards for government jobs often lack minority representation, thus disadvantaging minority access to the civil service. The higher levels of the judiciary display some degree of independence, but they are subject to influence from the executive and the legislature. The economy is primarily agricultural, with some large state-owned manufacturing and distribution firms.

Politically motivated general strikes are said to have taken a heavy toll on the economy, as did monsoon flooding. Security forces are accused of committing abuses and of murder. Torture and degrading punishment are illegal but are routinely used during interrogations. Vigilante and mob killings are common, as are kidnappings. Corruption and a climate of impunity are problems. Transparency International reports that systemic corruption poses a serious challenge. The Official Secrets Act protects corrupt officials from public scrutiny and limits transparency and accountability.

Human rights monitors claim that political activists are convicted for unfounded charges. The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press subject "to reasonable restrictions in the interest of security, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency and morality, or to prohibit defamation or incitement to an offence." Individuals are not able to criticise the government without fear of reprisal. Journalists practise self-censorship and are subject to attacks and monitoring of their e-mail. Public access to government information is not provided in law or in practice. Foreign publications and films are subject to censorship.

Violence, discrimination and trafficking of women and children remain serious problems. Bangladesh is a country of origin and transit for women and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and debt bondage. Bangladeshi boys are also trafficked to work as camel jockeys and beggars. Young boys work in servitude in the fishing industry.

Human Rights Watch reports that gay men are harassed by police and local criminals and often face threats of extortion. Official and social discrimination exists against those who provide HIV prevention services and against groups considered likely to spread HIV/AIDS.

Efforts are being made to improve access to education, which is compulsory for ages 6 to 10. While primary education is said to be free, only tuition is actually provided. There are many other charges levied that range from costs of textbooks and materials to school repairs and a miscellany of expenses. Because these costs are often beyond what parents can afford, and because of the tradition of sending children to work, the implementation of compulsory primary education falls far short of its goal.

Incentives to families sending children to school have contributed to the increase in enrolments in recent years. Expanded incentives for female education include free education tuition for girls up to Grade 12. Boys receive free tuition to Grade 5. Adult literacy levels remain low, with only 43.1% of the population over age 15 able to read and write. Statistics vary on the number of children actually enrolled in school (70% to 97% depending on the report).

A 3-year programme begins at age 3. 49% of ECE is provided privately, and 49% of ECE students are girls. There are 32,064 ECE teachers (88% female), of whom 58% are trained. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 36 : 1.

The Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) is 94% (50% female). 42% of primary education is private. Of students who enrol in Grade 1, 53% reach the last grade of primary school, and of those who complete primary school, 95% enrol in secondary school. There are 326,913 primary teachers (39% female), and 51% of them are trained (55% of men, 45% of women). The PTR is very high at 55 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 11 and lasts for 7 years. Over 10 million students are enrolled in general education programmes, and only 3% of upper secondary students are enrolled in technical education. The NER is 69% (52% female). 6% of students repeat grades. There are 355,594 secondary teachers, 183,037 (16% female) in lower secondary and 172,557 (17% female) in upper secondary schools. 31% of secondary teachers are trained. The PTR is 36 : 1 for lower secondary and 26 : 1 for upper secondary education.

877,335 students are enrolled in tertiary education, with a teaching staff of 61,321 (15% female). At this level, 58% of education is private. 13,156 Bangladeshi students study abroad, mainly in the USA (3,198) Australia (2,950), the UK (1,712), Cyprus (1,633) and Japan (958).

The law provides for equal treatment and freedom from discrimination for persons with disabilities, but they face social and economic discrimination. Little information is available on education programmes to meet the needs of the disabled. Incarcerated juveniles are often held in adult facilities with no opportunity for education. The High Court ordered the government to transfer juveniles to correctional homes. Young children are often held in prison with their mothers where educational opportunities are unavailable.

The Constitution does not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, and the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. A pattern of neglect of Bihari and Rohingya refugees is reported. 300,000 non-Bengali Bihari Muslims live in camps throughout the country with little access to education. 20,291 Rohingya refugees live in 2 camps, and the government has ignored UNHCR requests to allow Rohingyas who are unable to return to Burma to participate in the education system.

Tribal people have a marginal ability to influence decisions concerning their human rights, including education rights, and violations of their rights continue. Reports surface regularly of violence involving Bengalis and tribal people.

Legally academic freedom is not limited; however, research on sensitive religious and political topics is not encouraged. Direct access to the Internet is permitted, but police continue surveillance of some e-mail. This climate does not support academic freedom.

Extensive trafficking of women and children is reported. The Muslim Family Ordinance is based on Islamic law and applies in inheritance, marriage and divorce. Employment opportunities have grown for women in the last decade largely due to the growth of the export garment industry, 80% of which is staffed by women. Pay is generally comparable for men and women performing similar work. A policy to include more women in government jobs has had limited effect. Only 15% of all recruits into government service are women. Taslima Nasreen remains abroad after being freed on bond for criminal charges still pending against her for insulting Muslim beliefs. A court sentenced Nasreen in absentia to 1 year in jail.

Domestic violence, often related to dowry disputes, is widespread. Laws prohibit certain forms of discrimination against women, but enforcement of legislation is weak. An amendment to the current law was passed weakening provisions against dowry crimes. Vigilantism against women occurs in rural areas, including punishments by whipping and acid attacks. Legislation to control the availability of acid to reduce such violence has been enacted, but poor enforcement limits its impact.

Mistreatment of children in domestic service remains a serious problem. Many children begin to work at a very young age and are often seriously injured or killed in workplaces. Child abandonment, kidnapping and trafficking are widespread problems. Extensive trafficking of children exists, and there are about 400,000 homeless children. NGOs sponsor programmes to provide education to working children in urban slums. ILO programmes include projects to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in 5 targeted industries. About 20,000 children have been removed from hazardous work, most going into informal education programmes and some into formal education or vocational training.

Government estimates show that approximately 3.2 million children aged 5 to 14 work in 200 different types of activities, of which 49 activities are identified as harmful to children's physical and mental well-being. Work hours are long, the pay is low and the conditions are hazardous. Trafficking of children for prostitution and labour servitude is common. Most trafficked boys are under age 10, while most trafficked girls are aged 11 to 16.

Workers can form and join trade unions, with some exceptions. Most unions are affiliated with political parties. In a total work force of 58 million persons, only 1.8 million belong to unions. About 15% of the 5,450 labour unions are affiliated with 25 registered National Trade Union centres. 75% to 80% of workers are employed in the informal sector. Teachers in both the public and the private sectors are not allowed to form trade unions but have formed associations. Employers discourage union activity at times in collaboration with local police. The right to strike is not recognised in law but strikes are common. Some employees organised in professional associations or unregistered unions went on strike during the year. The export processing zones are exempt from labour legislation.

Forced or bonded labour is illegal, but the prohibition is not enforced. Domestic servants, including children, work in conditions of servitude and suffer physical abuse. There is no national minimum wage. The Wage Commission convenes every few years to set wages and benefits. The declared minimum monthly wage is not sufficient to provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family.