Gita Rani Kanu arrested and detained following tea workers’ rights protest
On 2 September 2026, woman human rights defender, Gita Rani Kanu, was arrested by plainclothes police officers in Moulvibazar, having been named as the prime suspect in a criminal complaint filed by the Bangladesh Tea Workers’ Union. She was charged and subsequently sent to Moulvibazar District Jail, where she remains in detention.
Gita Rani Kanu is a woman human rights defender, based in the Sylhet tea-growing region of Bangladesh. She works to promote tea workers’ rights and for years has been involved in organisation around securing demands for their land rights, increase in daily wages and union democracy. She is the convener of the Bangladesh Tea Worker Women's Forum, General Secretary of Cha Sramik Moha Sangram Committee (Tea Workers’ Grand Struggle Committee), and a member secretary of Cha Sramik Adhikar Andolon (Tea Workers' Rights Movement).
In 2024, she stood as the sole female candidate for chairperson of Kamalganj Upazila Parishad Government Council in the Sylhet division. She was the first candidate from the tea workers' community to contest such a position in a local government election.
On 2 September 2026, woman human rights defender, Gita Rani Kanu, was arrested by plainclothes police officers in Moulvibazar, having been named as the prime suspect in a criminal complaint filed by the Bangladesh Tea Workers’ Union. She was charged and subsequently sent to Moulvibazar District Jail, where she remains in detention.
Gita Rani Kanu is a woman human rights defender, based in the Sylhet tea-growing region of Bangladesh. She works to promote tea workers’ rights and for years has been involved in organisation around securing demands for their land rights, increase in daily wages and union democracy. She is the convener of the Bangladesh Tea Worker Women's Forum, General Secretary of Cha Sramik Moha Sangram Committee (Tea Workers’ Grand Struggle Committee), and a member secretary of Cha Sramik Adhikar Andolon (Tea Workers' Rights Movement).
On 2 September 2026, Gita Rani Kanu was arrested by plainclothes police officers and appeared before Moulvibazar District Court, having been charged and named as the prime suspect in a criminal complaint filed over an incident on 31 August 2026. The Court has subsequently authorised her detention in Moulvibazar District Jail. Four other named individuals and up seven unidentified persons are included the case. The compliant was filed by the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bangladesh Tea Workers' Union.
Gina Rani Kanu is accused of unlawful assembly, causing hurt, theft, mischief causing damage, criminal intimidation and abetment under sections 143, 323, 379, 427, 506 and 114 of the Penal Code of Bangladesh. The complaint alleges that on 31 August 2026, the woman human rights defender Gita Rani Kanu and others entered the office of the Bangladesh Tea Workers' Union situated in the Labour House area, assaulted the General Secretary, stole cash from the premises and vandalised furniture. According to the information received, at the time of the alleged incident, Gita Rani Kanu and other protesters were receiving treatment in hospital for injuries sustained as a result of being attacked on 31 August 2026 whilst holding a workers’ rights protest.
On 31 August 2026, a group of tea workers led by Gita Rani Kanu held a human chain at Chowmuhona in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar. They later led a rally towards the Labour House area, as part of an ongoing campaign for a daily wage of TK 500 (approximately EUR 3.50), among other demands. The protesters state that they had obtained permission from the local administration. As the rally passed the Tea Workers' Union office, it is reported that their banner was torn and the group was attacked by members and leaders from the Tea Workers’ Union. Between 10 and 12 protesters were reportedly injured. Gita Rani Kanu and two fellow protestors received medical treatment at Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital. As a result, they were not able to file their own complaint regarding this attack before the counter criminal complaint was lodged by the Tea Workers’ Union. It is reported that the police did not cooperate on taking up their case.
Front Line Defenders believes that the criminal case against Gita Rani Kanu is directly connected to her legitimate and peaceful defense of tea workers’ rights in Bangladesh. Front Line Defenders calls on the authorities in Bangladesh to guarantee her immediate and unconditional release, to ensure due process in relation to the criminal complaint against her, and to ensure that all forms of harassment and intimidation against her cease.
Front Line Defenders calls upon authorities in Bangladesh to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release, drop the charges against the woman human rights defender, Gita Rani Kanu, and ensure that any legal proceedings against her comply with international standards of due process;
- Cease all forms of harassment and intimidation targeting Gita Rani Kuna and other tea workers’ rights defenders, and take all necessary measures to guarantee her physical and psychological integrity and security while in custody;
- Carry out a prompt, independent, and effective investigation into the attack on tea workers protesting on 31 August 2026, and hold accountable those responsible;
- Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Bangladesh, particularly those working on labour and tea worker’ rights, are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.
