Bangladeshi students have recently taken to the streets, protesting the reinstatement of quotas in government jobs. Unfortunately, their rightful protest was met with violence from ruling party thugs and government forces [news link below]. Now, we look to the global democratic community for collective action.

Our Call to World Leaders:

Voice Concerns:

• Speak out against the blatant breach of human rights by the ruling party and its allied forces.
• Raise your voices in defense of justice and fairness.

Pressure for Change:

• Urge the government of Bangladesh to restore democracy and uphold rule of law.
• Advocate for transparency, accountability and respect for citizens' rights.

Accountability and Apology:

• Hold those responsible for violence against students accountable.
• Demand a public apology from Sheikh Hasina, the incumbent head of government, for her harmful and derogatory remarks against protesting students.

Specific Measures:

• Impose personal sanctions on diplomatic privileges of Minister Obaidul Qader, who publicly threatened and deployed BCL thugs against students.
• Recognize the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) as a terrorist organization due to its continuous record of violence, extortion and intimidation against commoners and activists of Bangladesh.

Resident Protection:

• Thoroughly vet Bangladeshi visa and immigration applications for BCL-links and ban the individuals from spreading their violent activities abroad.
• Protect activists and dissenting voices who champion justice and human rights.

Let us stand together—across borders, cultures and ideologies—for a Bangladesh that embodies justice, democracy and respect for all. Together, we can make a difference.

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bangladesh-deadly-protests-jobs-1.7264877​

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/16/two-dead-and-thousands-injured-as-bangladesh-police-crack-down-on-anti-quota-protests​

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/16/at-least-one-student-killed-during-anti-quota-protests-in-bangladesh​

https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-quota-violence-hasina-student-protests-c3982590332a1639c88a22257e20f7d2​

https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/why-must-brute-force-always-be-the-response-student-protests-3657686​

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/rights/news/pms-comment-ignites-protests-across-campuses-3657151​

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

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/world/asia/bandladesh-student-protests-job-quotas.html​

https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/i7gg8jkuzh​

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/352348/du-chhatra-league-leaders-resign-en-masse-over​

https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/v743r5y9bj