Bangladesh: Security forces target unarmed students

(New York) Bengali The government has Deployment of troops The government has taken harsh measures against protesting students, imposing a curfew and shutting down mobile data and internet services, Human Rights Watch said today. The measures come as security forces cracked down on peaceful student protests, sparking violent protests as protesters expressed dissatisfaction with what they called excessive measures by security forces.

and More than 160 people diedForeign governments should immediately call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government to stop using excessive force against protesters and hold the military accountable for human rights violations.

“Bangladesh has long suffered from wanton abuses by security forces against those who oppose Sheikh Hasina’s government, and now we are witnessing the same tactics again, this time against unarmed student protesters,” he said. Meenakshi GangulyDeputy Director of the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch. “It is time for influential governments to put pressure on Sheikh Hasina to get her military to stop its brutal treatment of students and other protesters.”

In early July 2024, tens of thousands of college students began Peaceful protest Earlier, the High Court, the highest court in Bangladesh, ruled to restore quotas for various categories of people in government jobs, especially reserving 30% quota for descendants of those who participated in the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence. Students believe that the quota for veterans would unfairly benefit government supportersOn July 15, members of the Chhatra League (BCL), a student group affiliated with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party, with the support of the police, Attacks on protesters, Six people died.

Protests spread to cities and universities across the country After the July 15 attack, Deadly conflict Clashes broke out between protesters and pro-government supporters and security forces, leaving hundreds dead or injured. Security forces used live ammunition, tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets, and shotgun shells to disperse protesters. Reliable information was hard to come by because the internet was shut down; AFP said police and hospitals had reported 163 deaths, but activists fear the real number is much higher. “I have never seen such brutality,” a Dhaka resident who recently left the country told Human Rights Watch. “The security forces have been shooting. They’re shooting at such young people. They’re even shooting at bystanders if they try to help protect the students.”

Some Journalist injured Attacked by security forces and Chhatra League supporters. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Called for restraint and said “The attacks on student protesters are particularly shocking and unacceptable.”

Prime Minister Hasina was re-elected for the fourth time in a row following the January elections. Not free or fairwhich had previously imposed quotas but later lifted them. Calls for dialogue and promises of investigation Deaths on July 15. Educational institutions closed Indefinitely. On July 21, the Supreme Court, after hearing the government’s appeal, Ruling to reduce government job quotaAmong them, descendants of Revolutionary War veterans can receive a 5% tax credit, and other categories can receive a 2% tax credit.

However, students said Sheikh Hasina had lost their trust after she made the following statement: condemn The protesters are political traitors. Students respond Call her a “dictator”.

On June 18, Bangladeshi authorities implemented a nationwide internet blockade, severely restricting the ability to communicate, obtain information, and share reports of human rights violations.

Junior Telecom Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak Confirm Closeand expressed concern about the spread of “fake news.” Bangladeshi media sites are unable to upload reliable information, fueling dangerous rumors. “Bangladesh is in information darkness,” one activist told Human Rights Watch.

The United Nations Human Rights Council said in a consensus resolution in 2016 that shutting down the Internet Deliberately block or disrupt online access to or dissemination of information All States should refrain from and cease such measures as they violate international human rights law.

The protests continued on July 19 and 20. Several people were killed by security forces. Protesters They attacked a prison in Narsingdi district and set fire to the offices of the state broadcaster,government A curfew order was issued and the military deployed.

On July 22, a student leader Protests halted for 48 hoursCalled on the government to end the curfew, restore internet access, and stop targeting student protesters.

Authorities have arrested hundreds of protest participants and organizers, and there are allegations of enforced disappearances and torture in detention. Reports from Bangladesh say that in several places protesters have clashed with members of the opposition, who have now joined the protests, clashing with Chhatra League members and security forces. Police have supported Chhatra League attacks instead of arresting those involved in the violence.

Information Minister Mohammad Arafat reportedly said in a television interview that the civil unrest could be quelled quickly, but the government was exercising restraint. “The government has not even used 5% of its full capabilities in this matter.” He said“If it does happen, it won’t take half an hour. But the government is showing patience to avoid loss of life.”

this United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms The use of firearms is prohibited except in the face of an imminent threat of death or serious injury. The United Nations Human Rights Committee, which monitors compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has stated that “firearms are not an appropriate tool for policing assemblies and must never be used solely to disperse them… The use of firearms by law enforcement officials at assemblies must be limited to targeted individuals and when it is absolutely necessary to respond to an imminent threat of death or serious injury.”

2020 United Nations guide The law enforcement agency’s rules on “less-than-lethal weapons” state: “The firing of multiple rounds simultaneously is inaccurate and, in general, their use does not comply with the principles of necessity and proportionality. Metal pellets, such as those fired from shotguns, must never be used.”

Authorities have repeatedly denied that Bangladeshi security forces Committed serious human rights violations Human Rights Watch said violence by Bangladeshi security forces, including extrajudicial killings, torture and enforced disappearances, has led to a culture of impunity. Britain and other governments, including the European Union, should step up scrutiny of Bangladeshi security forces following the shooting. The U.S. government designates human rights sanctions.

“Bangladesh authorities have flouted international standards in the past and continue to do so during the current protests,” Ganguly said. “Sheikh Hasina’s government should take immediate steps to end the crisis, restrain and punish security forces and her party supporters who have committed serious crimes, and protect the rights of protesting students.”