Bangladesh has a vibrant and mature civil society sector, however the government of Bangladesh is currently considering a law to increase monitoring of CSO activities and impede civil society's autonomy. Advocacy by some CSOs has helped to improve the transparency of the legislative process in Bangladesh. However, the government is known to selectively support some organisations, while behaving agressively towards those working on politically sensitive topics. Those working on monitoring human rights abuses perpetrated by state authorities are most vulnerable to abuse of their fundamental freedoms. Garment workers are not encouraged to form trade unions and workers often face harassment and intimidation.  On the other hand, CSOs that provide basic services to the community enjoy a degree of government support. CSOs working on governance and corruption often attract unwarranted harassment, intimidation and interference from the state. CSOs receiving foreign funds need to register with the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB), which is a cumbersome and lengthy process. CSO registration also needs to be renewed annually. Civil society reports that they are often pressured to bribe officials to ease the process, while the registration of some controversial CSOs has been cancelled by the authorities.

Various groups are able to organise rallies to protest against issues including violence against women and attacks on minorities. These are not interfered with and often receive police protection. However, more politically sensitive protest rallies such as those against environmental pollution, the unlawful acquisition of land, infrastructure development and the displacement of people, are often met with police brutality. Recently, a mobilisation of local people against the construction of a coal-based power plant in Bashkhali was met with aggression, leaving five people dead. Thousands of unnamed people were also arrested and charged with inciting violence. Garment workers also came under attack from the police when they staged rallies demanding payment of salaries. However, police forces use the most agressive tactics when dealing with rallies and processions organised by the political opposition. Organisers of these rallies often do not get permission to stage protest in their preferred locations. Even when they get permission they often face brutal physical attacks by the police using tear gas and baton charges in the name of maintaining law and order.

There are clear efforts to curtail freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Mass arrests, arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killings threaten independent dissent. In the last year and a half 89 people including free thinkers, minorities, university professors and publishers have been killed. The state authorities neither protected them nor took steps to prevent these targeted killings. No credible cases have been filed against anyone as yet. More recently, in the last six months journalists have been jailed with unsubstantiated allegations of treason and conspiracy. An independent media editor was also charged with 84 law suits of defamation and treason in February 2016. The cases were filed by the supporters of the ruling party, and thought to be politically motivated. Two free-thinking bloggers, a gay rights activist and several members of a minority community were murdered in the last six months. The attack against bloggers and free thinkers started in 2013 when Ahmed Rajib Haider was accused of writing against the prophet Mohammed and was murdered. This was followed by the murder of Avijit Roy in broad daylight. Amid massive criticism, thousands of people were arrested in an anti-terrorist drive. The media, which enjoyed a fair amount of freedom until a few years ago, is increasingly coming under state scrutiny. Private companies have been prevented from advertising in independent newspapers. A national broadcasting policy is under consideration which may continue the clamp down on freedom of expression.