The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting in Bangladesh has defended the government’s handling of mass protests that erupted following demands for reform to the country’s quota system. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mohammad Arafat stated that security forces were working to restore peace, blaming “third-party” actors for instigating violence.
The protests, which resulted in over 150 student deaths and thousands of arrests, led to international scrutiny of the Bangladeshi government’s response. United Nations experts called for an independent investigation into alleged human rights violations during the crackdown. The government’s actions, including the imposition of curfews and shutdowns of universities and businesses, have raised concerns about the use of excessive force.
Arafat denied accusations of government involvement in the violent crackdown and emphasized the need for an impartial investigation to determine responsibility and hold perpetrators accountable. Despite calls for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign, Arafat maintained that she was only protecting the people.
Protesters, who have suspended their demonstrations, are demanding a public apology from Hasina for the student killings and the resignation of several government ministers. The situation remains tense, with the international community urging the Bangladeshi government to allow a transparent investigation to address the grievances of the protesting students.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
