Protect the Protest - Bangladesh must immediately end crackdown against protesters

Written by Jerry Allen, Country Coordinator for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

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.

Please see the Offline Action below.

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.

Other Reports

Amnesty Report (19^th July): Government must urgently halt mounting death toll of protestors

Amnesty International (25^th July) Further video and photographic analysis confirm police unlawfully used lethal and less-lethal weapons against protesters

This report describes the evidence of the use of tear gas and lethal weapons.

Amnesty International (29^th July) End punitive mass arrests and arbitrary detention of student leaders and protesters

Over 9,000 were arrested during the weekend of 27^th & 28^th July.

Human Rights Watch (22^nd July): Security Forces Target Unarmed Students  

“International Pressure Needed to Protect Rights with Army Deployed, Internet Shut Down”

Use of UN vehicles

Amnesty International is investigating reports that some of the armoured personnel carriers (APCs) used had UN logos on them. Bangladesh is a top troop contributor to UN peacekeeping missions.  In June 2023, Amnesty called on the UN to review admission of Bangladesh law enforcement officers to peacekeeping missions.

Please remember Bangladesh in ‘Protect the Protest’ campaigning. #SaveBangaldeshiStudents #ProtectTheProtest

Remember Abu Sayed & the Bangladesh Students Vigil

The idea is to hold solidarity protests in front of Bangladeshi High Commissions in your respective countries. You can time it in such a way that the letter to the High Commission is sent on the same day as well.

Police fired 12-gauge shotguns directly towards peaceful protester Abu Sayed when he was standing across the road, with his arms spread out – posing no threat at all. He eventually succumbed to death.

• Imitate the pose in solidarity protest, either in front of the High Commission or any convenient location, 
• take a photo and
• share with us, or post on your social media with the hashtags

#SaveBangladeshiStudents and

#ProtectTheProtest and tag us.

Please sign the petition now and demand from authorities that the rights of Bangladeshis are protected, those arbitrarily arrested are released, and that security forces are held to account. 

Join us in calling on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to: 

1. End the crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
2. Conduct a thorough, effective, independent and impartial investigation into the deaths and hold the perpetrators accountable. 
3. Urgently lift the “shoot on sight” curfew orders and the blanket ban on protests. 
4. Immediately release all those who have been arrested solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

See the Petition