The Coalition for Human Rights & Democracy in Bangladesh (CHRD Bangladesh) strongly condemns the violence unleashed on university student protesters across the country.
Hundreds of students have been injured by the Bangladesh Chatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling Awami League Party. The BCL members are armed with weapons, hammers, knives and bats, attacking the peaceful student demonstrators on the streets and even as they were receiving medical treatment for their injuries in emergency rooms.
CHRD Bangladesh, along with many other human rights organizations, has reported on the violence of the government-backed BCL in the past and has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure that such atrocities are not committed. However, these unfortunate and tragic incidents continue to be repeated.
We remind the government of Bangladesh that under international law and by the articles of its own constitution, it is obliged to fully respect people’s fundamental rights of freedom of speech, freedom of expression and the freedom of peaceful assembly.
CHRD Bangladesh strongly urges the government of Bangladesh to uphold its obligations to international law and provide protection and security to peaceful protestors.