Bangladesh’s minister of state for information and broadcasting, Mohammad Arafat, defended the government’s handling of recent mass protests in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera. He claimed that the country’s security forces did everything to bring back peace amid the student protests and accused “third-party” actors, including extremists and terrorists, of fueling the unrest.
The protests began earlier this month when thousands of Bangladeshi students demanded reforms to the country’s quota system, resulting in over 150 student protesters being killed and thousands arrested in the government’s crackdown. The situation turned violent after members of the ruling party’s student wing allegedly attacked protesters, leading to police crackdowns, curfews, university closures, business shutdowns, and disrupted internet access.
United Nations experts have called for an independent and transparent investigation into the alleged human rights violations during the government’s handling of the protests. The experts have emphasized the need for impartiality and accountability in identifying the perpetrators and ensuring justice for the victims.
In response to criticisms, Arafat denounced protesters for storming the state broadcaster’s headquarters and stated that the government has yet to determine an official death toll. He mentioned that an independent judicial committee will conduct a thorough investigation to hold responsible parties accountable.
The protesters have called for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to apologize for the student killings and demanded the resignation of several cabinet ministers. As the suspension of protests continues, the government is under pressure to address the public’s grievances and address the demands for justice and accountability.
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