Bangladesh Student Protests Escalate, Call for Nationwide Civil Disobedience
Student protests in Bangladesh have taken a dramatic turn, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government and launching a nationwide civil disobedience campaign. This escalation follows weeks of protests against government quotas in jobs, which have resulted in a violent crackdown and the deaths of over 200 people.
The protests, initially organized by the group Students Against Discrimination, began over the reintroduction of a quota system that reserved over half of government jobs for specific groups. This move sparked outrage among graduates facing high unemployment rates. While the protests were initially peaceful, attacks by police and pro-government groups led to a tragic escalation.
The government responded with a heavy hand, imposing a nationwide curfew, deploying troops, and shutting down the internet for 11 days. Security forces opened fire on protesters, resulting in the deaths of at least 200 people, including children, and hundreds of injuries.
This brutal crackdown has sparked international condemnation. UN experts have called for an immediate end to the violence and accountability for human rights violations. The UN Human Rights Chief and the European Union's foreign policy chief have both demanded an independent investigation into the excessive use of force against protesters.
With the student movement gaining momentum and transforming into a broader public movement, the pressure on Prime Minister Hasina's government is mounting. The protesters' call for nationwide civil disobedience and their unwavering demand for her resignation signal a deepening crisis in Bangladesh.