On July 29, 2024, police forcibly dispersed students protesting across Dhaka as part of the anti-discrimination student movement, detaining dozens.
Detentions were reported in multiple locations, including in the Science Lab, Mirpur, and Paltan areas of Dhaka. In some locations, police used force, including firing empty bullets and charging protesters with batons.
The violent arrests occurred against the backdrop of the quota reform movement, a set of widespread student protests that began on the campus of the University of Dhaka, after a June 5, 2024 ruling by the High Court of Bangladesh reinstating a quota system – previously abolished in 2018 – which allocated government jobs to certain favored groups. Under the system, 30% of government positions went to people who had fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan and their family members, creating a shortage of sought-after positions for others. The protests ultimately led to the resignation of Bangladesh’s prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the establishment of a new interim government.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force by police and the detention of students in apparent retaliation for the nonviolent exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and association. State authorities have a responsibility not to interfere with the right to freedom of expression and association, so long as they are exercised peacefully and responsibly. Detentions and prosecutions aimed at limiting such activity undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.
Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/police-detain-34-protesters-science-lab-mirpur-905631
https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/241140/arrests-clashes-mark-fresh-student-protests-in-many-areas-of-bangladesh
https://bangladeshcentre.org.uk/2024/07/29/police-obstruction-and-arrests-during-student-march-in-paltan/
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/5enz43u7pl
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/city/rr1h6i77fq
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/353015/quota-movement-20-protesters-detained-from
https://www.instagram.com/daccanomics/p/C-AM4FIg3-t/?img_index=1