Bangladesh: BWI condemns state violence against job quota protests killing over 100
Following the court's pronouncement of a controversial job quota policy reserving government jobs for those affiliated with the families of freedom fighters and favoring Awami League supporters, massive protests organised by youth and students erupted across Bangladesh in early July. Violence has been reported in at least 47 of Bangladesh's 64 districts, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people and injuring nearly 1,500.
With the worsening situation, the government has taken harsh steps and ordered the deployment of military forces to quell the protests. A nationwide curfew was announced on 19 July, impacting the movement of people and many workplaces, bringing the country’s economy to a standstill. The situation further deteriorated with a complete ban on public gatherings, the disruption of telecommunications, the non-airing of television news channels, and the suspension of train services throughout the country. All of this is happening amid an economy grappling with high inflation, growing unemployment, and shrinking foreign exchange reserves.
The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) joins its Bangladeshi affiliates in expressing strong concern over the use of state force to undermine the people’s basic rights, which has resulted in the loss of many lives. BWI urges the Bangladeshi government to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis by addressing the apprehensions and aspirations of the youth. The global union emphasised that upholding human rights and democratic principles should form the core of a peaceful and long-lasting resolution to the crisis.