Bangladesh, my homeland, is currently enduring a harsh reality, where peaceful student protests demanding fairness and meritocracy in government job quotas are being violently quashed by the authorities. These students, mainly unarmed and defenceless, are subjected to brutal attacks by the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and police, culminating in grievous injuries and tragic loss of lives.

This gross violation of human rights and trampling over democratic norms is an affront to democratic principles and the fundamental rights of the people. It is also in stark contrast to Article 21 of the Bangladeshi Constitution which guarantees the right to assembly (Islam, M.M. The Constitution of Bangladesh. Macmillan Publishers, 2020). The students' demand for reform is not unreasonable, especially considering that public service jobs constituted about 13% of total employment in Bangladesh in 2019 (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Yearbook, 2020)

We are deeply concerned about the safety of these students who are merely seeking their rightful entitlement to fair opportunities without unjust bias or favoritism. The state's intervention and violent suppression have been nothing short of horrifying, and it is of immediate importance that these actions be condemned internationally.

We call upon the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States to immediately condemn these actions and demand accountability from the Bangladeshi government. International pressure is crucial to stop the violence and ensure the safety of the students. By signing this petition, you ally with us in this fight against oppression and in defense of democracy. We urge the Bangladeshi authorities to heed the call of their youth, stop the violence, and uphold human rights. Please sign and share this petition, so the pleas of these citizens do not go unheard.

Reference:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/16/world/asia/bangladesh-student-protests.html​

https://www.nst.com.my/world/2018/04/356099/tens-thousands-rally-bangladesh-job-protests-spread​

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/07/bangladesh-witness-testimony-video-and-photographic-analysis-confirm-police-used-unlawful-force-against-protesters/​

https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/quota-reform-resurgence-stop-violence-against-students-3659156​

https://www.economist.com/asia/2018/04/21/protests-in-bangladesh-put-an-end-to-a-corrupt-quota-system?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=18798097116&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gad_source=1​

https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/aa4e32bfaf2b​

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv3kn5v565o