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Bangladesh: Ensure accountability for violence and killing of protestors

CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance calls on the government of Bangladesh to end the brutal violence and excessive use of force against the quota reform protesters immediately. The authorities must also investigate the attacks during the protests and the killings of more than a hundred individuals.

Since early July 2024, students have been on the streets protesting against the reinstatement of a 30 percent quota in government jobs, reserved for children of those who fought to win 1971 Bangladeshi independence war. 

Instead of engaging with the students, members of Bangladesh Chattra League, the youth wing of the ruling Awami League began attacking the students in Dhaka University, armed with rods, sticks, and clubs. Many female students were also assaulted during the attack. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also derogatorily called the protestors ‘Razakars,’ referring to Pakistani collaborators in the 1971 war.

These actions further escalated the protests across the country and the police violently repressed protestors using unnecessary and disproportionate force. There were reports of the use of firearms, tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets, and shotgun pellets to disperse protesters.

Reports indicate that unarmed protestors were shot by security forces and at least 131 people have died and hundreds more injured. At least one journalist was killed and around 30 other journalists injured while covering the student protests in Dhaka.

The authorities have called in the notorious Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guards-Bangladesh (BGB) and army to quell the protests and imposed an indefinite curfew.

“The Bangladeshi security forces must show restraint immediately and end its use of violence against protesters. We call for an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the serious human rights violations committed by the security forces as well as members of Bangladesh Chattra League during the protests and to ensure perpetrators are held to account. These actions are inconsistent with Bangladesh’s international human rights obligations”, said Rajavelu Karunanithi, CIVICUS Advocacy and Campaigns Officer for Asia

CIVICUS is also concerned that the authorities have arrested hundreds of protest participants and organizers, including Akhtar Hossain, the Convenor of Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti (Democratic Student Power) in Dhaka and that some protest leaders have been allegedly tortured in custody by police personnel. 

Since 18 July, the authorities have imposed a communication blackout restricting mobile and internet services, restricting the flow of information. 

“The authorities must immediately release all peaceful protesters and ensure they are not ill-treated while detained. They must also ensure that the right to freedom of expression and access to information is not restricted by ensuring unfettered access to the internet, social media platforms, and other communication channels,” added Karunanithi.

On 21 July 2024, the Supreme Court scaled back the controversial job quota system and ordered that the quota for veterans’ descendants be cut to 5 percent, with 93 percent of jobs to be allocated on merit. The remaining 2 percent will be set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people. However, the protestors have called for the complete scrapping of the quota system. 


Civic space in Bangladesh is rated 'closed' by the CIVICUS Monitor.

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