ASIATODAY.ID, DHAKA – The revolutionary movement is increasingly resounding in Bangladesh. The demonstrators demanded that Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina step down immediately.
More than 80 people died in clashes between police and demonstrators in Dhaka and other cities across the country, including 13 police officers, Bangladesh media reported on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
Protests against the Bangladeshi government’s quota system for public jobs escalated last week after violent clashes at Dhaka University.
The demonstrators are demanding an end to a quota system that allocates 30 percent of government positions to family members of veterans of the 1971 war. They allege discrimination and favoritism against supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose party is leading the independence movement.
Thirteen of the 14 police officers killed were killed when unknown assailants stormed a police station in the town of Sirajganj, 110 kilometers from Dhaka, the report said.
The Bangladesh government imposed a curfew in Dhaka and other cities across the country from 18:00 local time (19.00 WIB) until further notice, the report added.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week were declared national holidays across the country, according to the report.
Earlier in the day, media in Bangladesh reported that in a number of places where rallies and other forms of protests were taking place, many demonstrators shouted slogans calling for the government’s resignation.
Mobile operators have received instructions from government regulators to shut down mobile internet and apps, according to the report.
On July 19, Bangladesh imposed a nationwide curfew to quell violence after more than 100 people were killed and at least 300 police officers were injured.
In late July, Zaved Akhtar, president of the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), said that Bangladesh’s economy had lost US$10 billion due to student protests, curfews and cut communication lines.
Shocking violence in Bangladesh must stop
The UN’s top human rights official on Sunday called for an immediate stop to the violence in Bangladesh, which claimed scores of lives, including those of police officers, over the weekend.
More than 80 people, including at least 13 police personnel, are said to have been killed in clashes between security forces and protesters, according to media reports. Authorities have imposed a curfew and restricted internet access.
A police station in Sirajganj district, about 100 kilometres (62.5 miles) northwest of the capital, Dhaka, was also attacked.
The renewed violence follows massive protests in July by students against the Government, demanding an end to a “quota system” for government jobs amid rising unemployment, in which more than 200 people were reportedly killed.
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, voiced deep concern over the situation, including a planned mass march on Dhaka on Monday, and the youth wing of the ruling Awami League party called up against the protesters.
“I am deeply worried that there will be further loss of life and wider destruction. I appeal urgently to the political leadership and to the security forces to abide by their obligations to protect the right to life, and the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” he said in a statement.
He underscored the importance of accountability for human rights violations, including for those with superior and command responsibility.
“The international community must make it clear that at this pivotal time, there will be no impunity.”
Cease suppression of discontent
High Commissioner Türk also called on the Government to cease targeting those participating peacefully in the protest movement, as well as immediately release those arbitrarily detained.
Alongside, full Internet access must be restored and conditions created for meaningful dialogue.
“The continuing effort to suppress popular discontent, including through the excessive use of force, and the deliberate spread of misinformation and incitement to violence, must immediately cease,” Mr. Türk said.
32 children killed
At least 32 children were killed and many more injured and detained during student protests that erupted in Bangladesh in July, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday.
Last month, students in Bangladesh staged massive protests against the Government, demanding an end to a “quota system” for government jobs amid rising unemployment.
More than 200 people were killed in clashes with security forces, including bystanders, according to media reports.
Although the authorities withdrew the system, fresh protests broke out in parts of capital Dhaka on Friday calling for accountability, reports stated.
Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, having just returned from Bangladesh, expressed deep concern over the impact of violence and the ongoing unrest.
“UNICEF has now confirmed that at least 32 children were killed during July’s protests, with many more injured and detained. This is a terrible loss. UNICEF condemns all acts of violence,” he said in a statement.
“Children must be protected at all times. That is everyone’s responsibility.”
Mr. Wijesekera also noted reports that children were being detained, and stressed that for a child, coming into contact or conflict with the law can be very frightening.
In line with international human rights law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Bangladesh is signatory, he called for an end to the detention of children in all its forms.
“This means that children should not be arrested or detained based on their mere presence in any location or because of their background, religion, or acts or beliefs of their family members,” he said.
Reopen schools
With the outbreak of protests, authorities ordered the closure of schools, causing about 30 million students from pre-primary to secondary school levels to miss 10 days of school. This compounded the learning losses due to school closures earlier this year because of extreme temperatures, cyclones and floods.
Primary schools are expected to reopen on 4 August in many parts of Bangladesh, but around 15.5 million school children will still be unable to resume learning.
Mr. Wijesekera underscored the importance of reopening schools, resuming learning and reuniting children with their friends and teachers.
“[It is] one of the best ways to help children recover from violence and to keep them safe,” he said, adding, “the longer children are out of school, especially girls, the less likely they are to return, jeopardizing their future.” (AT Network)
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