UN human rights chief, EU, UK voice concern
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the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The government should take necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of the students participating in peaceful protests, and to guarantee the right to freedom of assembly and expression without fear of attacks against their lives and physical integrity or other forms of repression.
Bangladesh’s political leaders must work with the country’s young population to find solutions to the ongoing challenges and focus on the country’s growth and development, Turk said.
“Dialogue is the best and only way forward.”
The internet shutdown is also of concern as it disproportionately restricts the right to freedom of expression, including freedom to seek, receive and impart information -- particularly in the midst of a crisis.
“We urge the authorities to restore internet access without further delay,” Turk added.
Also on the same day, the EU issued a statement on the ongoing violence in Bangladesh.
“The EU is deeply concerned by the violence and tragic loss of life that has occurred in the context of the protests in Bangladesh. It is vital that further violence is averted and that a peaceful resolution to the situation is found as swiftly as possible, underpinned by the rule of law and democratic freedoms,” the statement said.
Catherine West, the British parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, also gave out a statement.
“The UK government is deeply concerned by the violence following protests in Bangladesh. The UK supports fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights, including the right to protest and peaceful assembly. We urge all sides to end the violence and find a peaceful way forward,” the statement read.
The ongoing violence was also addressed at weekly briefing of India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.
“As you are aware, there are ongoing protests in Bangladesh. We see this as an internal matter of the country,” said MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar himself is following the matter closely in the context of safety of the Indians, he said.
“We are aware of the measures taken by the local authorities in view of the protests. Our High Commission remains in touch with local authorities for the safety of our nationals.”
Total Indian nationals in Bangladesh are estimated to be around 15,000, which includes around 8,500 students, Jaiswal added.
The following day, US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on her official X page posted on the issue, sharing the link of a Reuters post on the issue.
“Dozens of protestors have been killed by Bangladeshi authorities in recent days. My constituents cannot reach their loved ones due to a government implemented communications blackout. I call for an end to the blackout and de-escalation of violence against protestors,” she posted.
Ocasio-Cortez is a member of the US House of Representatives representing a district in Queens, New York City, home to a sizeable Bangladeshi diaspora.
On July 20, British member of parliament Rupa Huq also posted on her official X page.
“Incredibly disturbing… students in Bangladesh demonstrating against corruption: Thirteen killed in protests over job quotas,” she posted with a Reuters link titled ‘Bangladesh quota protesters call for nationwide shutdown amid clashes’.
The next day, Huq’s fellow MP Rushanara Ali also posted.
“The Bangladesh government has imposed a curfew across the country and there has been widespread violence resulting in deaths. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office now advises against all but essential travel to the whole of Bangladesh at this time,” she posted on her official X page.
She said in the post that she is in contact with the FCDO and keeping abreast of developments in the country.
The UK supports fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights, including the right to protest and peaceful assembly, Ali said
“Like many of my constituents, I have family and friends in Bangladesh, and I am very concerned about the situation there,” she said.