Bangladesh’s Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Mohammad Arafat, defended the government’s handling of mass protests in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera. He accused “third-party” actors, including extremists and terrorists, of instigating unrest during student protests demanding reforms to the country’s quota system. The protests turned violent on July 15 after the ruling party’s student wing allegedly attacked protesters, leading to a deadly crackdown by police.
The United Nations Human Rights Chief and a group of UN experts called for an independent investigation into alleged human rights violations during the government’s crackdown on protesters. Arafat stated that the government has yet to determine an official death toll and emphasized the need for an impartial investigation to hold perpetrators accountable.
Protesters have demanded that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina publicly apologize for the student killings and called for the resignation of several government ministers. The protests have been temporarily suspended, with discussions ongoing regarding their extension.
The government has been scrutinized internationally for its handling of the protests, with calls for an impartial investigation by the UN. Arafat dismissed calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation, stating that she has been “protecting the people”. The government’s response to the protests continues to be a contentious issue in Bangladesh, with concerns over human rights violations and the need for accountability among key areas of focus.
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