Facts Regarding Widespread Protests in Bangladesh

The student uprising in Bangladesh continues after more than twenty days since its inception. This deadly protest, which arose in response to new quotas for government job recruitment, has now become a major challenge for the government. So far, at least 110 people have been killed in these protests, with reports indicating that security forces have fired live ammunition at protesters, including in Dhaka, the capital of the country. Following the closure of schools and universities, the Bangladesh Army has been deployed on the streets since Friday, and internet and mobile texting services have been suspended since Thursday. Why the protest against recruitment quotas? Protesters are demanding the cancellation of the new quotas for government jobs. Bangladesh has over 171 million people, including more than 1.9 million government employees (official figures from 2022), of which more than half were not hired based on merit but rather through quotas. These quotas prioritize hiring women, individuals from underdeveloped areas, and other marginalized groups, but the most controversial aspect of these laws is the allocation of 30% of positions to the children of victims of the Bangladesh Liberation War against Pakistan in 1971. These laws were introduced in 1972 by Bangladesh's independence leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and were revised in 2018 under pressure from student protests. However, in June, the Bangladesh Supreme Court annulled these reforms and ordered the government to reinstate the quota for government jobs designated for the relatives of war veterans. Bangladesh, with its massive population, faces a crisis of unemployment, especially among university graduates. Protesters claim that the government is attempting to hire loyalists of the ruling party through the imposition of quotas for government jobs. Government jobs are seen as stable and lifelong employment. Students argue that the government is abusing the quota system. Protesters want this system to be significantly adjusted to apply only to ethnic minorities and individuals with disabilities. They argue that about 94% of the remaining job opportunities should be allocated to those selected based on ability and merit. How is Bangladesh's economy? At the time of its independence from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh was one of the poorest countries in the world and faced a devastating famine three years later. In the following decades, Bangladesh's economy grew significantly, primarily due to its thriving textile industry. Bangladesh is home to many global clothing brands, and its garment industry generates approximately $50 billion in annual exports for the country. However, due to the large population, the government is still struggling to provide enough jobs for its growing populace. According to official statistics from 2022, over 40% of individuals aged 15 to 24 in Bangladesh are either unemployed or not continuing their education or training. This amounts to 18 million people. Economists say that the job shortage crisis is particularly acute for millions of university graduates in Bangladesh. When did the protests start and how? Protests began on the first of this month, July, with protesting students blocking main roads and railways. They have continued their protests almost daily, with high school students also joining the gatherings. On July 10, the Supreme Court suspended the quota system for one month and asked protesters to return to classes. However, this suspension did not stop the protests, and in addition to over a hundred deaths, hundreds more were injured in violent clashes between protesters and security forces, which were also accompanied by the student wing of the ruling party. In recent days, Ali Hossein, one of the protesting students, described the suppression of protesters: "We came here [to one of the streets] in the morning. Immediately after that, the police and members of the Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling party, began to attack us. Two students in front of me were shot, and we took them to the hospital. After that, we were removed, and now we are standing here." In this situation, where information dissemination has become difficult, pro-government students have also accused the protesters. Shahryar Anon, a student leader of the ruling party, said: "We were aware that the student network of the opposition party, or members of Shibir, the Islamist student organization, were attacking us in the dormitory. That’s why we stayed awake all night. When we slept a little at dawn, some boys with sticks entered our room and damaged the rooms." As much as the recent protests have been described as the biggest challenge for the fifteen-year rule of the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the suppression of protesters has also been described as widespread. Radisha, a female protesting student, directly accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, telling AFP: "We want justice for our slain brothers. Our first demand is that the Prime Minister must apologize to us for her ugly remarks. Justice must be served for our slain brothers." Meanwhile, Ms. Hasina claimed in a televised message that those responsible for the suppression and killings would be brought to justice. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh stated: "I condemn every killing. I also announce that judicial proceedings for all unintended incidents, including murder, will be carried out fairly and justly. Those who committed murder, looting, and violence - whoever they are - will certainly receive appropriate punishment." Government opponents and human rights organizations accuse the current government of Bangladesh of suppressing dissent. Reporters Without Borders has reported that since the country's independence in 1971, successive governments in Bangladesh have mistreated journalists. The current government led by Sheikh Hasina, who has been Prime Minister since 2009, along with members and supporters of her party, the Awami League, often subject independent and critical journalists to physical violence while also launching legal harassment campaigns to silence some journalists or force media outlets to shut down. The imposition of a "curfew" in Bangladesh to counter the protests has been noted. Reporters Without Borders added that in such a hostile environment, editors are very careful not to challenge government positions.