Bangladesh: Thousands swept up in police crackdown

[Tilly lavenas]

Dear friends

Please send this letter or in your own words on behalf of Bangladeshi protesters who have been arrested after deadly violence. The students are demanding an end to the government’s quota system, which reserves more than half of civil service posts for certain groups. This quota is seen by many as disproportionately favoring supporters of the ruling party. Clashes between security forces, protesters and government supporters have escalated, with the government deploying its paramilitary Rapid Action Battalion, which was sanctioned by the United States in 2021 after “widespread allegations of serious human rights abuses.”

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 

Prime Minister’s Office 

Old Sangsad Bhaban

Tejgaon, Dhaka-1215 

Bangladesh

Email: ps1...@pmo.gov.bd 

Dear Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 

I am deeply concerned about the recent crackdown on protesters with more than 200 protesters killed, thousands injured and more than 10,000 reportedly arrested in the last few weeks. 

Among those who were arrested are Arif Sohel, a university student leader, 18-year-old Rony Sheikh who was arrested on 22 July while preparing for his exams and Sabir Rahman, another student. I call on you to release them and all others who have been unlawfully detained. 

Please ensure that all protesters receive a prompt and fair trial and immediate access to their families and lawyers. I also strongly urge you to end custodial torture and other forms of ill-treatment. 

Yours sincerely,

Please send a copy to the ambassador in your country:

HE Muhammad Imran

Embassy of Bangladesh

3510 International Drive, NW

Washington, DC 20008

mission.w...@mofa.gov.bd

HE Ms Saida Muna Tasneem 

High Commission for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

28 King’s Gate

London SW7 5JA

personalo...@gmail.com

For more information about Amnesty’s Urgent Action, 71/24, 2 August: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa13/8388/2024/en/