Prometheus Siddiqui- Bangladesh born Australian Citizen: Bangladesh is currently facing a period of intense turmoil and unrest due to the recent developments surrounding the contentious quota system. The initial peaceful protests by students from various public and private universities have tragically escalated into violent confrontations. Law enforcement agencies and the Bangladesh Awami League’s student wing, Bangladesh Student League, have responded with indiscriminate attacks on protestors. These events have resulted in over 200 lives lost, thousands injured and the imposition of a curfew as of July 20, 2024.

Government-Enforced Blackout

Adding to the chaos, the government has enforced a blackout by shutting down the internet, effectively disconnecting the country from the rest of the world. This move has aided the government in undertaking violence against protestors and the general public using law enforcement agencies, the Bangladesh Student League, and most recently, the Bangladesh Army. The blackout has made it difficult for information to flow in and out of the country, further enabling the authorities to suppress dissent with impunity.

Historical Context

To understand the present crisis, we must look back at the parliamentary elections held under a neutral caretaker government system towards the end of 2008. The Bangladesh Awami League (AL) won a landslide victory in this election under Sheikh Hasina. Ironically, one of the first acts of the new government was to abolish the neutral caretaker government system, arguing that no non-elected government should assume power as it compromises democratic practices. This system, established through constitutional amendments in 1990 propagated by Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh Awami League, and its then allies, had previously ensured participatory elections in 1990, 1996, 2001, and 2008.

The abolition of this system marked the beginning of a decline in democratic processes. Subsequent elections have seen low voter turnout, lack of opposition participation, and widespread allegations of vote rigging. The current government has been accused of compromising the judiciary, as evidenced by the numerous cases against Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank. Despite his global recognition, Professor Yunus has faced judicial harassment for over a decade as Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina deems him to be a threat to her popularity gained merely by political heritage.

Current State of Bangladesh

Corruption has permeated various sectors of Bangladesh, with recent findings implicating high-ranking officials, including the former Inspector General of Police, Benazir Ahmed. The banking sector has suffered immensely, with billions of dollars in loans being granted to individuals under the government’s patronage and subsequently laundered abroad.

Human rights violations have been a constant under the current regime. International organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly highlighted these abuses. The government has consistently failed to uphold the rule of law, preventing citizens from exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, resulting in significant harm to the physical integrity of the people.

Key Incidents of Violence and Suppression

Several key incidents illustrate the government’s brutal crackdown on dissent:

• In February 2009, a massacre occurred at the headquarters of the then Bangladesh Rifles, now Bangladesh Border Guard, resulting in the deaths of nearly 60 military officers.
• In February 2013, a peaceful protest by an Islamic organization in Dhaka was violently suppressed overnight by law enforcement, leading to hundreds of injuries and deaths.
• In 2018, students and the general public took to the streets demanding road safety. The Awami League government quashed this movement overnight, resulting in the imprisonment of prominent global photojournalist Shahidul Alam.

Enforced disappearances have become a tactic to silence opposition. Law enforcement agencies abduct individuals in unmarked vehicles, making them disappear without a trace. Families of victims have been left in anguish, some waiting for years without any news of their loved ones.

The Digital Security Act has further stifled dissent, allowing the government to control both state and private media, and to prosecute anyone criticizing the government, the Prime Minister, or their supporters. This has led to numerous cases of harassment, imprisonment, and even deaths.

Call to Action

The silence of the general public in the face of these abuses has only emboldened the government. However, the recent incidents represent an outburst of pent-up frustration against over 15 years of autocratic rule by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has repeatedly come to power through rigged and non-participatory elections.

It is time for the people of Bangladesh and the international community to take a stand. The following actions are crucial to ensure a just and democratic future for Bangladesh:

1. Raise Concerns to Stop the Atrocities and Killings: Publicly raise concerns about the undemocratic practices, atrocities, killings, and ongoing human rights violations in Bangladesh.
2. Hold the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Accountable: The Prime Minister and her cabinet members must be held accountable. They must take responsibility for their actions and, if required, resign from their positions.
3. Reform the Election Commission: To restore faith in the democratic process, the election commission must be reformed to conduct free and fair elections.
4. Reform the Judiciary: The judiciary must be restored to its role as an independent body, free from government influence.
5. End Corruption: Comprehensive measures must be taken to root out corruption at all levels of government and public administration.

The path to economic glory and true democracy for Bangladesh lies in the collective effort to end autocratic rule, reform key institutions, and uphold the principles of justice and human rights. The time to act is now. The silence must end for the voices of the oppressed to be heard and for the nation to move forward towards a brighter future.