ATTENTION: Please note we are not collecting any donation for this petition. We just want your voice in solidarity.

As a person of Bangladeshi heritage, I am deeply disturbed by the current situation in Bangladesh. The brave students are being silenced and oppressed for standing up against unfair hiring practices in government jobs. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dismissive rhetoric further incites injustice. The demand for a fair, merit-based recruitment process is not merely a call for fairness - it is rooted in constitutional rights.

Tragically, the peaceful student protests have been met with horrendous violence. As of July 18, at least 23 peaceful protesters, including students, have lost their lives due to the brutal actions of the police and the ruling party's student wing, Chatra League. 

The situation has been exacerbated by the government's decision to shut down the entire communication network, including the internet. These state-sponsored atrocities are an outrageous violation of Bangladesh’s constitution and human rights, posing a serious threat to democracy. This blatant use of power to curb freedom of speech and to silently carry out harm against the students with the aid of police and Chhatra League and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is deeply troubling. RAB was sanctioned by the United States in 2021 after “widespread allegations of serious human rights abuses.” Amnesty International has spoken to eyewitnesses and said that the student protests were entirely peaceful before individuals from the Chhatra League started attacking them on 15 July. The death toll is on the rise with some sources claiming 50 people have been killed, including by police and Chhatra League. The situation in Bangladesh reflects a global trend where the right to protest is increasingly repressed.

We call on the Government of Bangladesh to:

1. Reinstate all forms of communication immediately to ensure freedom of expression and access to information.
2. Cease all violence against protesters immediately.
3. Investigate the atrocities committed by police and Chatra League through an independent body and bring them to justice.
4. Engage in peaceful discussions with all parties to resolve this issue without further casualties.
5. Provide proportionate compensation to the families of those killed or harmed during the protest. 

We urge the international community to support this just cause and take necessary measures to ensure that the Bangladeshi government upholds justice and equality.

Please sign this petition to support the courageous students fighting for justice in Bangladesh. Together, we can amplify their voices and demand change and justice.

ATTENTION: Please note we are not collecting any donation for this petition.