[🇧🇩] In Bangladesh, A Violent 'Student Revolution' is on بنگلہ دیش میں انقلاب

[Saif]

Govt plays to crowd as it seeks UN help in mayhem probe

THE prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s statement that she seeks cooperation of the United Nations and other international organisations for a fair and proper investigation of the mayhem, born out of the student protests that sought reforms in civil service job reservations, to establish the culprits...

www.newagebd.net

Govt plays to crowd as it seeks UN help in mayhem probe
01 August, 2024, 22:56

THE prime minister Sheikh Hasina's statement that she seeks cooperation of the United Nations and other international organisations for a fair and proper investigation of the mayhem, born out of the student protests that sought reforms in civil service job reservations, to establish the culprits involved in the attacks and punish them appears nothing short of playing to the gallery. The prime minister says that the people involved in the attacks have to be brought to justice. The prime minister a day before, on July 30, said that foreign technical assistance would be taken for the judicial investigation commission that the government formed to ensure fairness in the inquiry of the student protests after high UN officials had put out a call for Bangladesh authorities to carry out 'an impartial, independent and transparent investigation'. The mayhem began on July 16 with attacks by the Awami League's front Chhatra League and Juba League, aided by various law enforcement units, on the students that has so far left more than 200 protesters and poor people dead. The prime minister's still referring to the train of death as being 'in the name of movement' also undermines a genuine movement against a wrong decision of the government regarding public job quota reforms.

The prime minister's statement also appeared playing to the crowd, both at home and abroad, as the one-member judicial commission that the government set up was meant to investigate the death of six that took place on July 16. Whilst some government leaders on several occasions said that the commission would investigate the whole violent episode that resulted in such a high number of death and the damage to establishments, there had been no noticeable move to update its terms of reference until July 31. The scope and the jurisdiction of the commission was, however, expanded on August 1 to look into the death, damage and other incidents that took place in July 16–21. The commission was also strengthened with the inclusion of two more members. But what government leaders say still appears ludicrously referring to the protesters as having committed the attacks and damaged the establishment, creating a smokescreen around the definition of the words 'attacks' and 'attackers', which in the episode at hand should refer to the attacks on the students by the Chhatra League, the Juba League and various law enforcement units. A demand for a credible investigation headed by the United Nations of the mayhem has, meanwhile, already come up in society. The popular demand for such an investigation is reflective of a waning or no confidence of people in the government. People no longer largely believe that the government, which has been central to the mayhem with its leaders provoking the peaceful, unarmed student protests in violence and ordering party people and law enforcers to attack the students, would ever carry out a fair, proper investigation to establish the culprits and punish them.

The government must, therefore, stop playing to the gallery and, rather, take adequate steps to credibly investigate all that happened during the mayhem and punish every individual, quarter or entity responsible for the death of the people.​

 

[Saif]

We condemn use of live ammunition in Bangladesh: UN

They also expressed their readiness to assist any government who requests help on different issues.

en.prothomalo.com

We condemn use of live ammunition in Bangladesh: UN
Prothom Alo English Desk
Published: 01 Aug 2024, 17: 58

Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN secretary-generalUN

The United Nations has condemned the use of live fire ammunition that they have seen in Bangladesh and laid emphasis on protecting the rights to peaceful protests.

It also said that they are ready to assist any government who requests help on different issues.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary general, came up with the statement while responding to queries from the journalists at a press briefing at the UN headquarters on Wednesday.

Referring to the incidents of deaths and violence in Bangladesh, a journalist asked if the UN would assist with any investigation run by state-controlled institutions that lack independence, or would offer its own investigation.

In response, the spokesperson said, "We are, of course, always ready to assist governments anywhere who may request help with different issues, and we see how we can best do that. In terms of independent investigations, as you know, that would require, as in any of these cases, a mandate from a legislative body of this organisation."

The journalist also drew the spokesperson's attention to the issue that at least three journalists were killed in Bangladesh in recent days, and many have been arrested with no information on their whereabouts. He also mentioned that one of his colleagues – Saeed Khan, who used to work for his news organisation – has been missing and nobody knows his current location.

Stéphane, in response, said, "We have condemned the use of live fire ammunition that we have seen in Bangladesh. Governments, whether in Bangladesh or anywhere else, need to be protecting the rights of people to protest peacefully and need to be protecting the right of journalists to do their job in a free and unfettered manner."

Earlier, he read out a statement on the UN activities in humanitarian response in Bangladesh. He said despite the political situation and the violence they have seen, it is important to remind everyone that there are humanitarian crises ongoing in Bangladesh.

"We and our partners continue to provide support to the people impacted by a number of emergencies — including Cyclone Remal — which has impacted 13 million people across Bangladesh this year," he said.

The spokesperson also said, "Our partners continue their work despite operational challenges — which obviously includes internet outages, bank closures and curfews. Last month, we and our partners launched the $80 million humanitarian response plan to support 1.2 million people. The appeal is currently only 18 per cent funded."

On 5 June, $7.5 million from the central emergency response fund was made available to support the response to the cyclone, while an additional $6.2 million from the central emergency response fund was released on 4 July, to allow for cash payments to communities in the Jamuna basin, he noted.

He added that there is also a massive humanitarian operation in Cox's Bazaar for refugees from Myanmar and to support the host communities.​

 

[Saif]

Students from high school to university all against Awami League, why: Shujan

SHUJAN's secretary Badiul Alam Majumder said the Awami League won a landslide victory with the support of the young generation in 2009. How this happened, what happened that students from high schools to universities are against Awami League, he wondered.

en.prothomalo.com

Students from high school to university all against Awami League, why: Shujan
Staff CorrespondentDhaka
Updated: 01 Aug 2024, 19: 22

Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) organized a press conference demanding a solution to the stalemate emerged centering the quota reform movement at the Sagor-Runi auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital on Thursday. Prothom Alo

The representatives of the civil society feel the incident centering the quota reform movement is an outburst of the accumulated anger of the people.

They said people are deprived of fundamental rights like voting rights and the rule of law and now this has become a movement for realising rights.

The civil society members said this at a press conference at the Sagor-Runi auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital on Thursday.

Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) organised the press conference demanding a solution to the stalemate emerged centering the quota reform movement.

SHUJAN's secretary Badiul Alam Majumder said Awami League won a landslide victory with the support of the young generation in 2009. How this happened, what happened that students from high schools to universities are against Awami League, he wondered.

If these rights are not established, symptoms of the disease will not be treated, the SHUJAN secretary said, adding, "This is now a movement of realising rights."

Mentioning the quota movement as a symptom of disease, Badiul Alam Majumder said, "The disease is more critical. The complex and devastating disease is that the people, who are not close to the ruling party, are deprived of all types of facilities and benefits. People are being deprived of fundamental rights like voting rights and the rule of law. These rights are linked to each other. If someone is deprived of one of these rights, he or she is deprived of another."

If these rights are not established, symptoms of the disease will not be treated, the SHUJAN secretary said, adding, "This is now a movement of realising rights."

Badiul Alam Majumder said the current crisis requires a logical solution through peaceful discussions. He said these misdeeds have to be brought to book and these have to be solved politically.

The word 'justice' will be erased from the country

Saying that there are no sincere or effective steps to resolve the crisis, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) chief executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "The government is trying to use a band-aid. But the scar the nation has borne is deep. The incident centering the movement of the students has affected the entire society. The people cannot be find relief through the law enforcing agencies."

Pointing out that there is no scope to pardon so many killings, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "If justice is not done this time, the word 'justice' will be erased from Bangladesh. People from their respective places have to demand justice. There is no scope to keep silent or to become peaceful until justice involving international community, United Nations through transparent manner is ensured."

Movement of students won't go in vain

Professor at Dhaka University, Robaet Ferdous, remarked that a mass uprising has taken place centering the quota reform movement.

He said the government has been defeated morally and politically in this movement. 61 people died in the mass-uprising of 1969 while four times that number have died in the mass uprising in the movement of 2024, he said adding women, children, physicians, teachers--people from all professions have died.

Once we would say that Ershad's hands are tainted with the blood of students, history says the movement of students does not go in vain. This movement will also not go in vain. Vibrant youths have lost lives."

Robaet Ferdous said, "Once we would say that Ershad's hands are tainted with the blood of students, history says the movement of students does not go in vain. This movement will also not go in vain. Vibrant youths have lost lives."

Robaet Ferdous said, "Many wonder if BNP-Jamaat come up if Awami League goes? Awami League has failed, we have also seen BNP. We have seen the Jamaat-Jatiya Party. If all the political parties are hated, then all have to be rejected. A new constitution has to be written."

Use of force will create more discontent

Nagorik Uddyog's Zakir Hossain said, "Those who rule us have the least competence to rule. They have failed. The administration they are running has no moral ground. They organised three elections through an 'innovative system', they have violated the constitution. The people are in a suffocating situation. People are being humiliated at every step."

Terming the statement of police the centering the quota reform movement as 'despicable', Zakir Hossain said the police said they have not killed anybody, the criminals were the killers. "We have seen photos and videos. The police investigation will not bring any results. The crisis needs a political solution," he added.

SHUJAN central coordinator Dilip Kumar Sarker read out the written statement.​

 

[Bilal9]

News report as of late last night showing resurgence of student protest activity, which now includes people from all walks of life,

 

[Bilal9]

Analysis

For Bangladesh's stability, Hasina must step aside

A political revolution of sort is taking place in Bangladesh right now, and the international community should ask Hasina to step aside for the sake of political stability

David Bergman

August 2nd 2024

Today, hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh took part in large-scale protests throughout the country, with many slogans calling directly for Sheikh Hasina to resign. Three popular slogans were: "Why my brother/sister is dead. Hasina must answer for this.", "1,2,3,4 "Sheikh Hasina is a dictator," "1, 2, 3, 4. Hasina, step down right now," and "One demand, one condition: resignation, resignation."

What does this all mean?

The protests are unlikely to stop. They are triggered by a deep, understandable emotional response in the country to the killing by the government's law enforcement authorities of at least 200 people, most of whom were students and ordinary citizens.

The killings have scarred the nation. There is huge anger. The government's response has been unbelievably crude—blaming the opposition, calling them "terrorists," and not taking any responsibility. People have had enough of the government's lies. They don't believe the governing Awami League party anymore, partly because they have seen what has happened in front of their eyes or in videos that literally show security forces shooting at and killing innocent protesting students and others in cold blood.

Many people who used to support the party and spoke poorly about the political opposition now strongly feel that the Awami League has no moral right to remain in power.

In the past, the Awami League government's narratives against the opposition parties hit home and were often accepted by large sections of civil society. The government has effective control of television, and there are only a few independent newspapers, which helps it control the narrative. But the situation is different now. It feels like the Awami League has "lost the room" in the sense that it has lost the country. It does not matter what the government says anymore, as other than their own party loyalists, no one believes it.

In this situation, can the government maintain its hold on power?

It could, of course, do an about-turn.

It could agree to a United Nations investigation, accept its own responsibility for the killings, and beg forgiveness from the country. But this would represent such a huge U-turn for the government that it is very difficult to see the prime minister—who has repeatedly blamed the deaths and violence on the opposition (referring to them as "terrorists")—taking such a step. Things have got so bad for the government that completely changing tack now would not likely regain sufficient popular support. People simply think that a government that has killed so many people has no moral right to remain in power. It is as simple as that.

Clearly, if Bangladesh were like Iran or other similarly highly repressive countries, the government could use increased repression to control the population and end the protests. But Bangladesh is not Iran—and whilst the law enforcement authorities have been very loyal to the Awami League, they are unlikely to be willing to take part in the levels and length of repression necessary to calm the political situation.

The government could seek to bring the army back into the equation, but to do so would be politically risky and, unless this is a permanent state, will only succeed until the army returns to barracks, when the protests would simply resume.

The Bangladesh government is now looking towards India, the Awami League's principal benefactor. The Indian government will no doubt offer to do many things to help the Awami League and is no doubt doing them now. However, in the end, in the context of these huge protests, India can only provide limited support for the Awami League—and also does not want to be seen to be on the wrong side if the Awami League's government were to fail. India will be pragmatic. India will provide as much political support as it can until it realises that doing so would not be in its interest.

The liberal democratic international community (which I will describe as "the West") now has an important role to play. It has to try and persuade the Awami League that it is in their best interests now to resign and allow some form of peaceful transfer of power to an army-backed government, as a prelude to free and fair elections in the near future. Ideally, the army would not be involved, but to avoid a bloodbath, there is probably no way a transition to another government could take place without them. The country's army is the only institution that can play that "independent" role.

The prime minister, though, is not going to listen to the West. The only way that Sheikh Hasina will even think about taking such a drastic step is if India pushes her in this direction. So, the liberal democratic international community must pressure India.

However, right now, there is no reason to think that "the West" is thinking like this at all. Although the EU has issued a strongly worded statement, no other country has. Instead, they have condemned violence in a general manner rather than the law enforcement killings in particular and urged the government to comply with human rights norms.

This mealy-mouthed posture is not new; it reflects how the West has dealt with the Awami League's move to authoritarianism over the last ten to fifteen years. Since coming to power fairly in 2009, it has avoided free and fair elections three times since then (either through rigging the polls or failing to take the necessary steps that allowed the political opposition to take part). Yet, the West has supported Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, seeing the party, despite its autocracy and history of terrible human rights violations, as providing the country with stability and economic development.

However, the costs of the West's acquiescence are now coming home to roost. The people of the country are finally asserting themselves. If the West is concerned about "stability" in Bangladesh—if it wants to avoid the risks of widespread violence—it should now support the Awami League handing over power.

Right now, the only question seems to be how long the Awami League will remain in power. There is a kind of popular revolution taking place in the country. The people are saying to Sheikh Hasina that she should read the writing on the wall, both metaphorically and literally. It says: Resign.●

David Bergman is a UK-based journalist and can be followed on X at @TheDavidBergman

 

[Bilal9]

Opinion

The monsoon tempest rocking Awami League's boat

By waging war against its people, the current government has reverted to a state of war where tyranny reigns supreme. As citizens, it has thus become incumbent upon us to resist.

Siddhartha Dhar
August 2nd 2024

Student-led movements have a long and illustrious pedigree in Bangladesh and greater South Asia. It was a student-led movement in 1952 that secured the right for East Pakistan's Bengali majority to use their mother tongue as an official language. It was a student-led movement in 1969 that brought Ayub Khan's autocratic government to its knees and prepared the grounds for the 1971 Liberation War. Historically, along with the working class, students have always been at the vanguard of any progressive struggle not only in South Asia but across the world.

Whereas the Awami League, which rules Bangladesh today, aligned itself with students both in 1952 and 1971, it today finds itself on a collision course with a new generation of student activists. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's independence leader who led the Awami League at the time, once seemed hesitant to accede to the demand of university students to declare independence, which would have meant abandoning his hope of becoming the prime minister of Pakistan.

Before bowing down to mounting public pressure, his daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, too, was equally reluctant to reform the quota system lest it herald a loosening of the tight grip she and her party have on power. Or maybe it was pure hubris. Students were once the tailwind that billowed the Awami League's sails. Today, they are the raging monsoon tempest rocking its boat.

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Until recently, the quota system reserved 30% of highly coveted government jobs for the descendants of 1971 freedom fighters. Hasina long claimed it as just, for it gives due regard to the sacrifices the veterans made to help Bangladesh achieve independence.

But we will be deemed purblind if we fail to recognise the authoritarian premise upon which her argument rests. If succinctly described, it amounts to as follows: Because of the role her father played in leading the independence movement and the tragic circumstances under which her father and most of her family members were assassinated in 1975, Sheikh Hasina has an exclusive right to rule Bangladesh — a special quota, if you will — no matter the consequences for the country's democratic future.

It was thus a grotesque sense of entitlement and a warped sense of victimhood that led Hasina to equate the student protesters with the descendants of the Razakars, a now-pejorative way to describe wartime enemy collaborators.

Hasina has a long track record of employing denigrating rhetoric against her opponents, hesitating little in revealing the violent fantasies she harbours about her enemies. She once infamously expressed her desire to throw her arch-rival, Khaleda Zia, off the newly built Padma Bridge. But her use of the term Razakar proved to be a denigration too far. It was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Her remark also betrays an often invisible but abidingly present caste hierarchy established immediately after the independence war based on descent, with Hasina, her extended family, and Awami League-certified descendants of freedom fighters occupying its very top ranks.

The Kshatriyas who follow this Brahmin clique are such henchmen as the Chhatra League and myriad other Awami League offshoots. Vested with the responsibility of maintaining the status quo with brute force, they are just pure enough to swoop up whatever government jobs that couldn't be filled up by their paymasters.

Even if they often serve as technocratic ministers and members of the parliament, the business elite of Bangladesh, the Vaishyas, keep their children away from joining the state bureaucracy. Their entitled progeny are instead sent abroad to receive a quality education and lead a prosperous life by spending a tiny fraction of the wealth their parents have hoarded by avoiding paying taxes and by denying their employees a livable wage — all possible thanks to their collusion with whichever political party is in power.

Toiling under these three dominant castes is the rest of the people — the Sudras and the untouchables. Each is a mere cog in the economic machine, but together, they keep Bangladesh afloat. It is thanks to their blood and sweat that Bangladesh's GDP rises every year. It is due to their precarious existence that Bangladesh's position remains stagnant on the Human Development Index. And now they have had enough.

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Today, it is once again proven that an authoritarian regime is at its weakest point the moment it considers itself invincible. Out of touch with the lived experiences of ordinary Bangladeshis, the Awami League has misread the brewing public discontent over rising inequality, a flagging economy, out-of-control inflation, and a lack of employment opportunities.

And when all the streams of discontent found their confluence in the quota movement, the resulting tide washed away every impression of invincibility that steadily accumulated around the Awami League over the last fifteen years.

The question remains, what now? To answer this question, first, we must recognise the 'social contract' between the people of Bangladesh and the ruling party, where citizens transfer the right to govern themselves to a person or assembly of persons — the Sovereign — in exchange for peace and security, is permanently broken.

By unleashing the tide of brutal violence against unarmed protesters, the Awami League government has proved once again that it can offer us neither peace nor security. By waging war against its people, the current government has reverted to a state of war where tyranny reigns supreme. As citizens, it has thus become incumbent upon us to resist. The students have shown the way. Now, it is our turn to follow suit.●

Siddhartha Dhar is a Bangladeshi writer.

Opinion | The monsoon tempest rocking Awami Leagueâs boat

By waging war against its people, the current government has reverted to a state of war where tyranny reigns supreme. As citizens, it has thus become incumbent upon us to resist.

netra.news

 

[Saif]

Non-cooperation movement from Sunday

Protesters to hold demos across country Saturday

www.thedailystar.net

Non-cooperation movement from Sunday
Protesters to hold demos across country Saturday

Photo: Rashed Shumon/Star

The organizers of Anti-discriminatory Student Movement, who spearheaded the quota reform protests, yesterday said they will go for a countrywide non-cooperation movement from Sunday, protesting the recent killings and to press home their nine-point demand.

They will also stage demonstrations across the country today (Saturday).

Mahin Sarker, one of the coordinators of the platform, announced the programme through a Whatsapp message around 8:00pm.

The platform urged all to join their programmes to make it successful.

Minutes after uploading the statement, Mahin said they will make some corrections to the statement. As they did not make any corrections, a correspondent of this newspaper contacted him around 11:50pm. Mahin said the statement stands as it is and they will not make any corrections.

Asif Mahmud, one of six coordinators of the quota reform protests who was in the custody of Detective Branch, shared a message identical to Mahin's.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hannan, another coordinator, in a Facebook live said on behalf of the Anti-discriminatory Student Movement, they are declaring to hold demonstrations across the country today (Saturday).

"An all-out non-cooperation movement will be observed from Sunday. He said no taxes will be paid to this government. No utility bills will be paid. The secretariat and all government and private offices will be closed, no vehicle will be allowed to enter Gono Bhaban or Bangabhaban.

"No one will cooperate with this government."

He urged all to carry out these programmes so that this government can no longer function.

Contacted, Hannan also confirmed their programmes for today and tomorrow.

Their nine-point demand includes an apology from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and resignations of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhoury, Law Minister Anisul Huq, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, and State Minister for Post, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak.​

 

[Saif]

Cops look away as protesters write anti-govt slogans

The protesters sat down in front of the police. Seven of them started writing anti-government placards by placing them on the street

www.thedailystar.net

Cops look away as protesters write anti-govt slogans

Photo: Sajjad Hossain

It was around 3:40pm today when thousands of protesters began their "Droho Jatra" march from the Jatiya Press Club to Central Shaheed Minar.

Suddenly, a group of protesters, mostly women, stopped near Kodom Foara, where at least 50 policemen had positioned themselves.

The protesters sat down in front of the police. Seven of them started writing anti-government placards by placing them on the street. The placards read: "Khuni Police," "Dalal Police," and "Torao Manush, Amra Ki?"

Photo: Sajjad Hossain

Suddenly, the police personnel turned around and allowed demonstrators to continue writing posters for about 10 minutes.

Once the posters were completed, the protesters carried them away and joined the rally. The police then returned to their original positions.

Photo: Sajjad Hossain

The protesters shouted "shame, shame" at police personnel as they marched on.

Earlier, protesters painted the word "Khuni" over an armored police vehicle. Two protesters were seen standing on the top of it. The vehicle's windows were painted red.​

 

[Saif]

'People must take back the control of the country'

Says Anu Muhammad in a speech before thousands of protesters, demands government's resignation

www.thedailystar.net

'People must take back the control of the country'
In a speech before hundreds, Anu Muhammad demands govt resignation

Anu Muhammad. Photo: Courtesy/Prothom Alo/File

Independent Bangladesh has not seen bloodshed of the kind witnessed during the quota reform protests, former Jahangirnagar professor Anu Muhammad said today.

The eminent intellectual was speaking at the Jatiyo Press Club before the "Droho Jatra" -- a mass procession called by students, teachers, and people from all walks of life – towards the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital.

"We have seen several mass uprisings and democratic movements, but Bangladesh has never seen such deaths and bloodshed. The government thought it could suppress the movement but it failed as people from all walks of life have joined it spontaneously," he said.

Saying that no other government has done as much damage to the spirit of the Liberation War as the incumbent Awami League, Anu Muhammad said, "The attack on people in the name of the Liberation War must be stopped. Those who are killers, looters, and fascists are against the spirit of the Liberation War...

"We cannot accept that lootings and killings like the July massacre will take place in the country using the Liberation War as a shield. We have to bring back the spirit of the Liberation War, and now we have to work on how the democratic transition will take place.

"People from all walks of life have to unite and work to ensure the transition," he said.

"We have nothing to seek from this government. We have to bring the government to book and ensure justice. Those arrested must be freed, the filing of cases and suppression must stop, and the curfew must be withdrawn. To ensure all these, the government must resign. People must take back the country."

"The country is passing through a historical period, and the people of the country have to show patience and unity. We have to remain aware of those who want to conduct subversive activities. The government and local and international agencies are hatching conspiracies against the people, and we have to remain aware of conspirators.

"We are also passing through a dangerous as well as creative time. We have been witnessing huge suppression by the government and protests from the masses in response. We have seen attacks on people ranging from three to 70-year-olds. Teachers, professionals, workers, students, and women -- no one was spared. We have even seen attacks being launched from the sky. More than 200 people have been killed by state forces. People's screams are reverberating everywhere. The family members of the injured are uncertain about their future."​

 

[Saif]

At least 32 children killed in Bangladesh violence: UNICEF

UNICEF has confirmed that at least 32 children were killed during July's protests, with many more injured and detained

www.thedailystar.net

At least 32 children killed in Bangladesh violence: UNICEF

Star File Photo

UNICEF has 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. On behalf of UNICEF, I extend my heartfelt condolences to families mourning the loss of their sons and daughters," said UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia Sanjay Wijesekera in a statement issued from Kathmandu on Friday.

He has just returned from a week in Bangladesh and said he is deeply concerned about the impact of recent violence and ongoing unrest on children.

In his meetings with government, UNICEF partners and organisations working for and with young people, he emphasised that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises the right of children to freedom of association and to freedom of peaceful assembly.

"Children must be protected at all times. That is everyone's responsibility," he said.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history.

Bangladesh has demonstrated a strong commitment to children's rights since becoming a signatory to the Convention almost 34 years ago.

"I am aware of reports that children are being detained, and remind authorities that for a child, coming into contact or conflict with the law can be very frightening," Wijesekera said.

In line with international human rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Bangladesh is a signatory, and based on research into the effects of detention on children, UNICEF urged 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.

Supporting children caught up in the violence is a priority for UNICEF, he said, adding that he visited the UNICEF-supported Child Helpline 1098 which has seen a 250 per cent increase in demand since the violence started.

"I saw how trained counsellors listen to children's concerns, refer to them the appropriate support and services - and follow up with them," Wijesekera said.

In addition, 1,100 social workers, trained by UNICEF, under the Department of Social Services, are providing psychosocial help for children whose mental health has been affected by the violence and curfews.

One of the best ways to help children recover from violence and to keep them safe is to reopen all schools, restart learning, and reunite children with their friends and teachers, he said.

30 million students from pre-primary to secondary school have missed 10 days of school.

These learning losses are compounded by school closures earlier this year due to heat, cyclones and floods.

While UNICEF welcomes the reopening of primary schools in many parts of Bangladesh from 4 August, there will still be around 15.5 million school children who are unable to resume learning.

"The longer children are out of school, especially girls, the less likely they are to return, jeopardizing their future," Wijesekera said.

He said children and young people are the future of Bangladesh. "They should be protected when they speak up."​

 

[Saif]

Govt risks further alienation as the outrage cycle resumes

It must stop crackdown on protests, mass arrests

www.thedailystar.net

Govt risks further alienation as the outrage cycle resumes
It must stop crackdown on protests, mass arrests

VISUAL: STAR

We fail to comprehend what the government wants to achieve through its continued crackdown on protesters, which has seen at least 10,947 individuals arrested in 674 cases filed in Dhaka and 51 other districts between July 18 and August 1. Is it really to establish accountability for the violent events of July 18-21? Is it to buttress its narrative around BNP-Jamaat orchestrating the unrest? Is it to punish students, activists, and anyone who dared to stand up against its security forces and party cadres? Is it to disabuse citizens of the notion that those security forces—including police and BGB—were to blame for the killing of over 200 people? Or is it simply an attempt, ludicrous as it may be, to force-restore public order?

Whatever it is, it is not working. It is not the right way. And it is backfiring, in spectacular fashion. On Friday, predictably enough, the public outrage cycle has begun again, with protesters taking to the streets across the country to demand justice for their fallen compatriots, including many students, about two weeks ago. And as before, security forces, aided by party cadres, again violently responded to it, leading to two more deaths and many injuries. How long this cycle will continue depends on how long the government can ignore the already-unprecedented human toll of this movement.

Ever since the first wave of violence, the government's law enforcement focus has been mainly twofold: conduct raids and arrests for the July 18-21 events, and suppress public outbursts at the killings. If we are to stick to the legal measures taken by the law enforcers so far, many disturbing trends about their arrests and case filings have also come to light. From conducting "block raids" to abducting six key coordinators of quota reform protests to bringing trumped-up charges against listed political rivals to inflating the age of minors implicated in cases to falsifying First Information Reports (FIR) to grossly violating Supreme Court guidelines for arrests and remand to allegedly engaging in "arrest business"—the list of objectionables reported in the media is quite long.

All this runs in the face of claims by the home minister and other top officials that the arrests are being made "based on evidence," and not as part of any mass arrest campaign. We have earlier commented on how the mass arrests and block raids, often targeting students involved in quota reform protests, have created widespread panic among ordinary citizens. Add to that the legal hassles and the uncertainty they bring in victims' families. This will no doubt add to the overall climate of anger and distrust, further alienating the government.

Against this backdrop, it is no wonder that the recent change in government tone—as evidenced by the slowdown in lamentation for destroyed public infrastructure, finally acknowledging the catastrophic tragedy that accompanied it, and signalling openness to international cooperation in investigations—is seen suspiciously by many protesters out there, and for that, the ongoing crackdown and arbitrary detentions are largely responsible. The question is, when will the government understand that no amount of rhetoric or theatrics can deflect attention from the overarching need for justice preceded by a credible investigation?

Restoring public trust, and indeed order, cannot begin without an honest endevour. The wounds from those days of reckless firing cannot be healed by reckless arresting, which will only make things worse. If the government really wants the public to trust in its sincerity to conduct a fair and thorough investigation into the July tragedy, it must stop these law enforcement excesses and make way for an independent probe of international standards. It must bring the light on the role of its own security forces in the killings.​

 

[Saif]

Hundreds of protesters marching towards Shahbagh

Hundreds of protesters of the anti-discrimination student movement started marching from Baitul Mukarram Mosque towards Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection following Juma prayers this afternoon

www.thedailystar.net

We were forcibly detained, didn't voluntarily issue movement withdrawal statement
Say 6 key quota movement organisers a day after being released by DB

The six key organisers of the quota reform movement today said they did not voluntarily issue the statement to withdraw their movement while they were forcibly detained by the detective branch of police.

"Since July 19, the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement have been missing, arrested, tortured and harassed mainly to disperse the movement and leadership. Subsequently, six coordinators were forcibly detained in DB custody for seven days in the name of 'security'. Although the Home Minister and the DB chief talked about security, we were kept in DB custody to isolate us from the movement," the statement said.

The statement was signed by Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Asif Mahmud, Nusrat Tabassum, and Abu Baker Majumdar.

The six were released from DB custody around noon yesterday.

"We did not voluntarily give the video message about the withdrawal of the movement broadcast from the DB office. No decision on the anti-discrimination student movement can come from the DB office. No decision will be taken as final without the participation of all coordinators and agitating students across the country.

They said in the statement that they were forced to sit on the dining table and then the video message was forcibly filmed.

"It was assured that we would be released, so our families were called and made to sit for 13 hours and false statements were made to the media. When our teachers came to meet us, they were not allowed to."

They said they sought safety and assurances that they would not be victims of enforced disappearances, arrested or tortured.

"We wanted to guarantee our right to expression. But we were kept in DB custody unconstitutionally and illegally. At first, we were told about security, but later they talked about the court, [that] we cannot be released without a court order."

"No one can be safe in the custody of those who shoot and kill unarmed students and citizens. We don't want security for this farce from the government, we want justice for the murder of our brothers and sisters.

"Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker started a hunger strike at the DB office on July 30 in protest of the unjust arrest of the coordinators, arrest and torture of the students across the country. Later, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah and Nusrat Tabassum also started a hunger strike."

They said that the hunger strike was kept secret from the family and the media. After over 32 hours of hunger strike, it was called off when the DB chief gave the final decision to free the six coordinators.

"In the last seven days, harassment, torture and a drama were staged with us and our families in the DB office. We strongly condemn and protest it," they said.

"We were unjustly detained on the orders of the home minister. The government has put the law enforcers face to face with the students and citizens. The government is still continuing its repression on the students and continuing to arrest and torture of the protesting students in the country and obstruct peaceful programmes.

"The anti-discrimination student movement will continue demanding the trial of the killing of students and citizens and the release of the detained innocent people. Students and citizens across the country will be urged to take to the streets defying the government's propaganda and repression. The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain," the statement ended.​

 

[Saif]

Protests all over

Hundreds of thousands of people on Friday came out on the streets across the country protesting at brutal killings and repression by the government during the student movement in...

www.newagebd.net

Protests all over
Staff Correspondent 02 August, 2024, 23:31

Students, parents, professionals and people from all walks of life join the mass procession titled 'Droho Jatra' called by the Students Movement Against Discrimination, a platform for quota reform movement, at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital on Friday. | Sony Ramany

Hundreds of thousands of people on Friday came out on the streets across the country protesting at brutal killings and repression by the government during the student movement in July seeking reform of the quota system for government jobs

At least two people, including a police constable, were killed as fresh violence erupted, leading police to open fire on protestors in places during the protests, taking the overall death toll to 216 in the student movement.

Habiganj District General Hospital superintendent Aminul Haque Sarker confirmed the death of an electrician named Mustak, 26, at the hospital.

'I am now outside the hospital. A local police officer informed me that one bullet injured people had died in the hospital,' he said.

Khulna Metropolitan Police commissioner M Mozzamel Haque confirmed the death of police constable Md Sumon in the city in a clash between police and protesters.

New Age correspondents from different districts reported that scores of people, mostly agitating students, were injured in police and ruling party attacks in places, with almost every district witnessing some kind of demonstration.

In Dhaka, thousands of people from all walks of life, including students of different schools, colleges, and universities, along with their parents, took to the streets in different parts of the capital.

The protesters demanded justice for those killed in the student protest and demanded the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina's government by taking responsibility for those killings.

Police opened fire on protesters in the capital's Uttara area, while the ruling Awami League's associate bodies also joined the attack, allegedly.

The clash erupted in Uttara-11 when several thousand protesters, including students and devotees, took to the streets at about 2:00pm after jumma prayers.

People in social media posts urged for help as AL's associate body, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, attacked them in houses where they had taken shelter in Uttara.

The ruling party activists also attacked female protesters.

Several protesters were reportedly injured in the attacks, though New Age could not immediately confirm any figures.

Uttara West police officer-in-charge, BM Farman Ali, denied the allegations of police brutality against protesters.

The protesters held demonstrations and brought out processions in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, the National Press Club, Central Shaheed Minar, Shahbagh, Science Laboratory, and Dhanmondi areas, among other places.

Students blocked the science laboratory crossing from 2:00pm to 4:15pm pressing their nine-point charter of demands.

While talking to reporters at the Science Laboratory crossing, Safwan Wasik, a HSC first-year student at Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College, alleged that students could not stay in their homes due to police crackdown on protesters.

'Sheikh Hasina must step down for killing students and general people along with making wholesale arrests,' he said.

New Market police station officer-in-charge, Aminul Islam, claimed they did not use force against students to avoid untoward incidents.

After Jumma prayers at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, hundreds of devotees brought out a protest procession from the mosque's main gate.

Starting from the Press Club area, a procession named 'Droho Jatra' concluded with students, teachers, and people from all walks of life announcing their four-point charter of demands from the central Shaheed Minar.

Chhatra Union faction president Ragib Naeem announced the demands, saying that a mass procession would be held in front of the National Press Club at 3:00pm on Sunday if their demands were not met.

The demands include the release of arrested students and people, the withdrawal of the curfew, the reopening of educational institutions, and the resignation of the government.

Thousands of people, including teachers, students, guardians, human rights activists, cultural activists, and people from different professions, joined the protest in front of the central Shaheed Minar, braving the rain.

Before the procession, Anu Muhammad, a former professor at Jahangirnagar University, said that the primary demand of the present movement was the resignation of the Awami League government.

A group of journalists held a demonstration in the Kawran Bazar area, protesting at killings and attacks on journalists during the student protest.

In the Mirpur DOHS area, family members of retired army officers were seen bringing out a procession.

Clashes in Habiganj, Sylhet

Quoting hospital sources and witnesses, New Age staff correspondent in Sylhet reported that at least 50 people were injured and one killed during a clash between police and protesters in Habiganj.

The protesters set the district Awami League office and several motorcycles on fire and threw stones at the house of Habiganj-3 constituency lawmaker and district Awami League president Abu Zahir.

Witnesses said after the jumma prayers, students gathered in separate groups and joined the main road of the town.

When the procession reached the Awami League office, a clash erupted between the students and some Awami League leaders and activists.

At one point, Awami League activists retreated, and protesters set the party office on fire, prompting the police to fire rubber bullets and tear gas shells at the protesters.

Border Guard Bangladesh and the Rapid Action Battalion joined the police later to disperse protesters.

In Sylhet, police set barriers to prevent a mass procession brought out by protesting students.

When the protesting students attempted to march forward, pushing the barriers aside, the police personnel fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and sound grenades.

The incident took place in the Akhalia area near the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology around 4:00pm.

At least 20 people, including students, policemen, journalists, and pedestrians, suffered injuries during the clashes.

Police claimed that protesters had taken positions in the Akhalia area and blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway.

Azbahar Ali Sheikh, deputy commissioner of Sylhet metropolitan police, said that they repeatedly requested the students leave the place, but they did not oblige, prompting police action.

Apart from students, at least three policemen and a Sylhet correspondent of Daily Kalbela were also injured in the clash.

Azbahar said that they had detained seven protesters on the spot.

Police constable dies in Khulna

In Khulna, clashes between students and police were reported at Zero Point, Gallamari Mor, and the Khulna University area from afternoon to evening.

Police fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and sound grenades at the students, who responded back with brickbats.

Nine people were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital with gunshot wounds until 6:30pm, four in critical condition, hospital director Goutam Kumar Paul said.

KMP commissioner Mozammel Haque said that the students were supposed to carry out the programme peacefully. But they attacked the police, beating constable Suman to death and leaving at least 20 police personnel injured.

10 injured in Narsingdi

In Narsingdi, at least 10 people, including students and parents, were injured in attacks by the Awami League and its front bodies, the Chhatra League and Juba League, as they intercepted a mass rally brought out by protesters.

The incident took place in the presence of law enforcement agencies in front of the Narsingdi Press Club.

Locals said that the Chhatra League leaders and activists took a position with sticks in the Narsingdi upazila crossing area before noon.

Later, when the students entered the area with a procession around 3:30pm, they were first stopped by the police before they were joined by leaders and activists of the Chhatra League and the Awami League, triggering a clash.

Narsingdi model police officer-in-charge Tanvir Ahmed told reporters that he was not aware of any clashes.

New Age correspondent among injured

In Lakshimipur, at least 30 people, including New Age correspondent Faruk Hossain, were injured in an attack of Chhatra League and Juba League activists on student protests in Sadar and Ramganj upazilas.

New Age staff correspondent in Chattogram reported that thousands of people from all walks of life joined a march brought out by protesters after jumma prayers, ignoring heavy rain, to demand justice for recent killings.

Starting from the Andarkilla mosque, the procession marched towards the New Market crossing, passing through the Laldighi-Rifles Club road, and staged a demonstration there.

When the procession was passing the WASA crossing, protesters vandalised a police box, witnesses said.

Mobile internet users across Bangladesh said that they could not access social media platforms Facebook and Telegram for seven hours between 12.00pm and 7.00pm.

Citing metrics, the Internet's Observatory organisation NetBlocks, in a post in X, said social media and messaging platforms Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram were again restricted in Bangladesh, while mobile data was also limited.

The government, however, denied the allegation of controlling the internet.

Eminent citizens under the banner of the Platform for Protests hold a rally, demanding justice for killing in the quota reform movement, in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday. — New Age photo

Agitating poets and writers hold a rally, protesting at the killings and repression on students and people in the quota reform movement, at Bangla Motor in the capital on Friday. — New Age photo​

 

[Saif]

Retired defence officials, families hold procession in Dhaka

The procession was followed by holding a rally where several retired senior army persons addressed the gathering expressing their support to the on-going movement

en.prothomalo.com

Retired defence officials, families hold procession in Dhaka
The procession was followed by holding a rally where several retired senior army persons addressed the gathering expressing their support to the on-going movement

Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 03 Aug 2024, 01: 09

Residents including retired defence personnel and their families bring out a mass procession in the capital's Mirpur DOHS on 2 August 2024.Prothom Alo

Residents in the capital's Mirpur DOHS (Defence Officer Housing Scheme) brought out a mass procession and held a rally amid heavy rains on Friday, expressing solidarity to the ongoing student movement across the country.

Several thousand people joined the programme chanting slogans demanding the trial of the killings of more than 200 people including students.

Participants were seen carrying a banner inscribing 'the call of retired defence officers, JCO and others' in front of the procession.

The Mirpur DOHS is one of several Defence Officer Housing Scheme (DOHS) in the country. A DOHS is mainly a residential area of retired defence personnel.

Witnesses said the procession started at 5:00 pm and paraded the entire DOHS area and ended in front of the DOHS Cultural Centre. Family members of the retired defence officials, especially women, also participated in the programme.

Residents including retired defence personnel and their families bring out a mass procession in the capital's Mirpur DOHS on 2 August 2024.Prothom Alo

At the procession, various slogans including 'We want justice', 'Who are we, who are we? Razakar, Razakar. Who said it, who said it? Dictator, Dictator.' 'My brothers are in grave, Killers are at large.'

The procession was followed by holding a rally where several retired senior army persons addressed the gathering expressing their support to the on-going movement.

The rally also protested and condemned the attacks of Bangladesh Chhatra League and 'helmet force' in coordination of the police to search students at the Mirpur DOHS on 18 July.​

 

[LeonBlack08]

Latest reports from Social media:

2 more students died yesterday in Uttara Dhaka.

Protests across the country continues. Clash with police in Khula University

Jamaat e Islam and Islami Chatra Shibir has been banned, as BAL trying to impose the India influenced narrative that this revolution is act of Jamaat Shibir and a terrorist act. The reason I call it Indian narrative is because both current ambassador Veena Sikri and former ambassador Harshbardhan Shringla had been claiming this is Jamaat Shibir terror from day 1, to defend the brutality of Hasina and distract international community.

Army Chief called for an urgent meeting with all officers in Dhaka Cantonment area journalist Zulkarnain Sami reports.

Actors, and musicians have come out openly in solidarity with the students. Musicians have refused to participate in the BAL organized Joy Bangla concert and have instead will be gathering on August 3 to be on the street with the students. This is important because BAL have been propagating propaganda that the clashes are with Jamaat Shibir and that this is a terrorism issue. However, secular artists and musicians joining with the students makes BAL lose their credibility even further.