OUR 5 POINT DEMANDS

Resignation of Sheikh Hasina and Transition of Power:

We demand that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resign immediately and hand over power to a neutral third party, either the military or a caretaker government. This interim authority should organise a free and fair election in which all political parties can participate, ensuring the restoration of democracy and the protection of citizens' rights.

Immediate Cessation of All Forms of Violence:

We call upon the ruling government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Awami League, to immediately cease all forms of violence against the student protesters. This includes the beating and mass killing of innocent students, the looting and raiding of student residential halls, and the assault on individuals peacefully protesting the current quota system. The excessive use of force, such as deploying tear gas, shooting rubber bullets, and threatening students with machetes, is wholly unacceptable and must be condemned.

Compliance with Protesters' Demands:

The government must heed the legitimate demands of the quota protesters. These demands are crucial for ensuring a fair and equitable recruitment system based on merit rather than outdated quota allocations.

Hold Law Enforcement Officers Accountable:

The Bangladesh Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have participated in violence against student protestors. Specifically, the Bangladesh Police have directly attacked students, killing many by shooting bullets at them, and have sheltered the Bangladesh Student League (BSL), also known as the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), in attacking unarmed students with firearms and local weapons. Journalists reporting in favour of peaceful protesters are also being beaten by the police. These actions are clear violations of the Constitution of Bangladesh, as well as international human rights law. The violence extends beyond peaceful protestors to include students, patients, and drivers in ambulances. The use of excessive force, arbitrary detentions, and harassment of peaceful protesters are crimes against humanity that must be addressed and rectified.

According to the Constitution of Bangladesh:

Article 31 guarantees protection of law.
Article 32 ensures the right to life and personal liberty.
Article 35(5) prohibits torture.

Additionally, international human rights law, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, affirms that:

Law enforcement officials must respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons (UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, Article 2).
Obedience to superior orders shall not be a defence for violations committed by police (Human Rights Standards and Practice for the Police, OHCHR).

There must be thorough and impartial investigations into the violence and human rights violations committed by these forces. Those responsible must be brought to justice according to both the national constitution and international human rights standards. This includes ensuring accountability for the Bangladesh Police's actions and implementing measures to prevent such violations in the future.

Designation of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) as a Terrorist Organisation:

The Bangladesh Chhatra League, responsible for instigating sanctioned violence and intimidation against anyone who criticises the government, aids the government in suppressing freedom of expression and shares equal responsibility for conducting violence with the police, must be recognised as a terrorist organisation. The Bangladesh Chhatra League, with its history of torturing students in their residential halls, threatening them to abide by their orders, and suppressing their freedom of expression, has long been a significant contributor to the unrest and suffering of the student community. Their actions must be condemned and addressed appropriately.