Protect the Protest: Bangladesh must immediately end crackdown against protesters.

This is a disturbing and escalating story.  Bangladesh is witnessing a deadly crackdown against student protesters. The heavy-handed response from the authorities has resulted in several hundred deaths of students, journalists and bystanders, as well as thousands being injured and many disappearing as the suppression escalates.

In early July 2024, university level students launched protests to demand reforms in the quota-system which reserves 30% of government jobs for descendants of independence war veterans.  This unjustly favours supporters of the ruling party.  

The protests met with violent repression from the authorities.  The ensued violence resulted in the deaths of more than 197 people (confirmed by Amnesty up to 25^th July), with 75 deaths reported in one day, thousands more people injured and more than 2,500 believed to have been arrested.  The death toll continued to rise after the 25^th July.

Amnesty International’s investigations show that security forces responded to the protests with unlawful, and sometimes lethal, force. The Bangladeshi authorities failed to prevent attacks against protesters allegedly carried out by members of the Chatra League (BCL), a group affiliated with the ruling party. On 20^th July the authorities imposed a “shoot on sight” curfew, nationwide internet blackout, shutting down the country from the rest of the world.  This was partially lifted on 24^th July.

The rights and safety of Bangladeshis are at serious risk and immediate action is needed to hold the authorities to account.  

“The rising death toll is a shocking indictment of the absolute intolerance shown by the Bangladeshi authorities to protest and dissent.” Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International

“The law enforcement agencies must immediately end their unlawful use of lethal force against protesters and ensure that the right of people to peaceful assembly is guaranteed in law and practice.”

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk (19 July): “I am deeply concerned by this week’s violence in Bangladesh, resulting in reports of dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. The attacks on student protesters are particularly shocking and unacceptable.”

“The shutting down of the Internet … disproportionately restricts the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression, including freedom to seek, receive and impart information…. We urge the authorities to restore Internet access without further delay.”

Catherine West, the new Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, said: “The UK government is deeply concerned by the violence following protests in Bangladesh. The UK supports fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights, including the right to protest and peaceful assembly.”

Amnesty International has analysed and authenticated witness testimonies, video and photographic evidence which confirms that the police used unlawful force against student protesters.  Further witness testimonies confirm the pattern of violence against protesters, committed by members of the Bangladesh Chatra League (BCL). 

Abu Sayed

The shooting of student protestor Abu Sayed was an intentional, unprovoked attack on an individual posing no threat to police officers. Police fired rubber pellets at him. He fell and died shortly afterwards.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns the killing of student Abu Sayed”, said Taqbir Huda, Regional Researcher for South Asia at Amnesty International.

Amnesty International strongly condemns the attacks against quota reform protestors in campuses across the country.  We urgently call on the Government of Bangladesh to immediately guarantee the safety of all peaceful protestors and proper treatment of all those injured.  The violence is the type that Amnesty has documented in the past.  Individuals in civilian clothing, brandishing weapons like hammers, sticks, and clubs interrupted protests and beat up protestors.  Bangladesh must uphold its obligations under international law and its own constitution to fully respect the people’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protect peaceful protestors from further harm.

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