Using force to repress the recent quota reformation movement of the students for government jobs and the unprecedented death and havoc exacerbated by the wrongdoings of the interested groups during the movement depicts the acute governance deficits, said Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
The organisation also emphasised that peaceful dissent and demonstrations to address demands are constitutional rights, not crimes.
Calling upon the government to take corrective lessons from the prevailing crisis, the anti-corruption watchdog has also called upon the government to immediately stop repressive measures against the students and immediately announce the acceptance of the students’ legitimate demands while also coming out of the path of abduction and repression. In addition, TIB called for holding a dialogue with the full group of coordinators to develop a mutually agreed road map for enforcement of the government’s commitments.
During and after the quota reformation movement for government jobs, the deaths of 200 people have been recorded, claimed TIB.
Mentioning that the peaceful movement with the logical demands suddenly turned into a violent and bloody one due to the provocation of the high-level leadership of the government, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, “The constitution gives people the right to express dissent, carry out rallies, stage protest, and peaceful demonstration as a part of movement to fulfil demands – but what can be more disappointing than reminding this to a democratic government! In fact, we have witnessed a massive loss of lives and mayhem on the state’s properties revolving around the movement that has been described as peaceful by the government itself and this situation manifested the acute lack of good governance and accountability.
"Even more alarming is that more death news is coming on people including children and teenagers who were not in the protest. It is one of the important questions of the time whether the responsible individuals be held accountable for the death of those who died at point-blank shooting or at their own homes or rooftops, along with the death of others. On the other hand, the judicial commission will only investigate the six death incidents that happened on 16 July. So, are the rest of our lives worthless? Should we accept dying by bullets at home and accept it as a regular normal event?”
According to the media, the students who participated in the peaceful quota reformation movement are constantly under fear of arrest, abduction, and physical-mental torture. The students have been tortured after abduction by the groups identifying as law enforcers; these are clear by the remarks of the students returned.
In this regard, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “The responsible ones of the government, including the ministers, have admitted that no students have been involved in any atrocities. Despite this, illegal abduction of students by law enforcement agencies is nothing but a total disregard for the constitutional right to civilian protest and movement. This would not be an exaggeration to say that showcasing the right to expression, protest and movement to fulfil fair demands is a crime, a fearful situation is being created for the the freedom of speech of the general public and the students.
Demanding that the government take steps, Dr Zaman said that the government must immediately accept the legitimate demand of the students while avoiding the path of retaliation and creating an environment for a dialogue. Also, the government must take the initiative to hold a dialogue with the full group of coordinators of the students involved in the movement. Similarly, to immediately materialize the commitment of the government a unanimously agreed road map has to be developed to eliminate the prevailing tension and fear.
He also questioned the recent arrest and charges against the protesters and called upon the government not to turn it into a ‘festivity’ of arrest and harassing people.
Citing the shutting down of the internet to repress the movement is a suicidal decision, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, said, “The way all the citizens of the country have been cut off of the internet service violating the digital rights and detaching from the rest of the world on the subterfuge of the arson attack on the data centre, it can be easily assumed that the main purpose of it is to obstruct the free flow of information and expression. The access to internet is not a special opportunity but, in reality, rights- the government entity has started to forget this.
"Financial transactions and the banking system, export business have faced massive damage within and outside the country, and people have faced difficulties in accessing essential services like gas and electricity due to the internet service cut off- who will take responsibility for this? Shutting down the internet, for temporary gain, while also chanting the slogan of from ‘Digital Bangladesh’ to ‘Smart Bangladesh’ is nothing but self-contradictory and imprudent of the government. To revive trade and commerce, and ensure the free flow of information, TIB urges the government to immediately resume the internet service of mobile and broadband in full swing.”
After violence infiltrated the protest, arson attacks took place at important government establishments. This raises questions of the respective government’s institutions regarding their capabilities, preparedness, and integrity in safeguarding those establishments. This situation has also created an opportunity for the government to engage in self-criticism. TIB expects the government to seize this opportunity refrain from employing repressive measures against dissenters, and adopt the democratic and good-governance-oriented path.
