Maroc - EURASIAREVIEW.COM - A la une - 17/Aug 10:03

The Tragedy And Turmoil Of Bangladesh’s Summer Of Unrest – Analysis

The events that have unfolded in Bangladesh over the past two months represent both a tragedy and a turning point for the nation. What began as student-led protests against an unfair quota system for government jobs quickly escalated into nationwide demonstrations against broader grievances. In the ensuing upheaval, hundreds lost their lives as security forces violently cracked down on protesters. Thousands more were injured or arbitrarily arrested. Bangladesh spiralled into chaos, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government on August 5th. While the protesters have achieved their immediate demand for a change in government, the path ahead remains fraught. The appointment of an interim civilian administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus provides a glimmer of hope. But the scars of the recent violence run deep. Shocking reports have emerged of unarmed protesters, including children, being deliberately targeted and killed by security forces. Allegations of torture, enforced disappearances, and incommunicado detention have shaken the nation. Internet blackouts and curfews were imposed, severely restricting fundamental rights and impacting daily life. The unfortunate reality is that the roots of this crisis stretch far beyond the original trigger of the protests. For years, democratic space in Bangladesh has been shrinking as the ruling Awami League tightened its grip on power. Dissent was stifled, political opponents harassed and jailed, and the independence of institutions like the judiciary eroded. While Bangladesh made laudable economic and social progress, this came at the cost of rising authoritarianism, corruption and inequality. The student quota issue became the match that lit the tinderbox of pent-up anger and frustration. The heavy-handed response of the authorities poured fuel on the fire. Inflammatory rhetoric by government officials, equating protesters with traitors and unleashing party cadres on them, was highly irresponsible. It also points to the increasing politicisation of the security apparatus and its use as a blunt tool of repression. Most concerning are credible reports that security forces frequently used disproportionate and indiscriminate force against protesters, regularly employing lethal ammunition and shooting to kill even when not under mortal threat. This represents a grave violation of human rights standards on the use of force. The government’s decision to unleash notorious paramilitary units like the Rapid Action Battalion, with well-documented histories of extrajudicial killings and disappearances, was a recipe for disaster. Equally alarming was the cynical misuse of resources intended for UN peacekeeping, like helicopters, to fire on civilians. Such actions are not just a betrayal of the Bangladeshi people but a stain on the nation’s significant contributions to global peacekeeping. They demand a thorough and impartial investigation, including at the command level, to deliver full accountability. Immunity must not be an option. The draconian blackout of mobile and broadband internet services also deserves condemnation. While the government claims this was due to infrastructure damage by protesters, evidence suggests it was a deliberate attempt to restrict the flow of information, stymie reporting on abuses, and hinder protest coordination. Such blunt measures rarely meet the high bar international human rights law sets for restrictions on expression. They also facilitated an information vacuum in which confusion and ‘fake news’ could flourish. A free and active press is essential in a democracy, especially in times of upheaval. But perhaps the most heart-wrenching impact has been on the lives of ordinary Bangladeshis. The combined effect of the unrest, curfews and shutdowns has been devastating. Economic activity ground to a halt as supply chains buckled. Livelihoods were lost and costs of essentials skyrocketed, hitting the poorest the hardest. Enforced school and university closures disrupted education. Worst of all was the human toll – not just the tragic loss of life, but the thousands of injured left struggling to access critical care as both transport and hospitals buckled under the strain. Countless families were forced to flee homes as violence spiralled. Now, as the dust settles, Bangladesh finds itself at a crossroads. The immediate priority must be to prevent further bloodshed and begin repairing the immense damage done. This will require restraint, wisdom and compassion from all sides. Security forces must refrain from further abuses and political factions must resist the temptation for reprisals or revenge attacks, especially against vulnerable minorities. Peaceful protest is a right that should be protected, not a provocation to be crushed. At the same time, those who engaged in wanton destruction of property or attacked law enforcement should face justice proportionate to their actions. Rebuilding trust will be a long and painful process. It starts with full transparency and accountability for the abuses and failures of the past months, and indeed years. The commitment by the new interim government to investigate unlawful deaths is a positive first step. But such a probe must be truly independent and far-reaching, with the capacity to compel evidence and testimony, including from the security forces. Those responsible for violations must face real consequences, regardless of rank or affiliation. Victims and their families must be heard, compensated and cared for. Half-measures will only sow the seeds for future cycles of grievance and unrest. The vetting and reform of the security apparatus will also be crucial. A systemic review is urgently needed, not just of the RAB but of the entire law enforcement sector – its training, doctrines, oversight mechanisms and culture. Forces that should protect the people cannot be allowed to terrorise them with impunity. Demilitarising public order functions and instilling respect for human rights must be top priorities. Reorienting the police towards a de-escalatory approach, with lethal force only as a last resort, will be key. But accountability alone is not enough. The deeper wounds in Bangladesh’s social fabric must be acknowledged and efforts made to mend them through inclusive dialogue. This unrest may have been triggered by one policy, but it reflects a much broader crisis of governance and diminishing faith in institutions. Healing those ruptures will require addressing legitimate grievances around economic opportunity, political voice and social justice. It means creating channels for peaceful participation, not criminalising dissent. Most of all, it demands a reimagining of the social contract between the state and its citizens. There are no easy answers, but the journey must begin with an honest reckoning of what has been broken and a sincere commitment from all stakeholders to forge a new path together. Bangladesh has overcome great challenges before, from war and natural disaster to entrenched poverty. Its people have repeatedly shown resilience, ingenuity and a hunger for democracy. Those same qualities will be essential in the coming days, months and years. The international community also has a role to play. It must support Bangladesh in this delicate transition, not just with aid and technical assistance, but by consistently advocating for human rights and the rule of law. The UN and its mechanisms should actively engage, including by assisting with investigations and providing expert guidance on reform processes if requested. Pressure should be maintained on all actors to prioritise non-violence, dialogue, accountability and inclusive participation as the only sustainable path forward. For all the darkness of recent days, Bangladesh now has a rare opportunity to reset its trajectory. It has a chance to show that the peaceful pursuit of progress is always preferable to the iron fist of repression. That institutions can be renewed to serve the aspirations of citizens, not the entrenchment of the powerful. That diversity is a strength to be celebrated, not a weakness to be exploited. And that even in the face of great adversity, a nation can chart a course guided by the light of human rights and dignity for all. The coming weeks and months will be critical. The temptation to paper over the past in the name of stability will be strong. But true peace cannot be built on a foundation of impunity and injustice. Nor can it be imposed through force or fear. It must be cultivated patiently, through a process that is inclusive, transparent and accountable. If Bangladesh can summon the courage and wisdom to embark on that path, it could emerge from this dark chapter as a beacon for South Asia and beyond – proof that the arc of history, however painful and halting, ultimately bends towards justice. That would be a legacy worthy of those who have sacrificed so much in the hope of a brighter future. The whole world is watching, in solidarity and hope, as Bangladesh navigates this defining moment in its journey as a nation.