Bangladesh: Opposition Claims 4K Charged in Government Crackdown

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Facts

  • Sairul Kabir Khan, a spokesman for the opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP), has claimed that over 4K named party supporters and leaders are facing "faked" charges related to alleged violence in nationwide protests over power cuts. Khan claimed another 20K unnamed party supporters have also been charged, regardless of whether or not they attended any rallies.
  • Khan also suggested that the police isn't a "neutral force," alleging that security forces fail to prevent attacks from the ruling Awami League party against BNP members but react when the opposition retaliates.
  • This comes as Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated on Monday that opposition groups in Bangladesh are reportedly facing an escalation of repression - including mass arrests, police raids, and voter intimidation -ahead of the national parliamentary elections next year.
  • According to Human Rights Watch, at least four people have died and hundreds have been injured since the opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP) organized protests over fuel and commodities price hikes in August.
  • Monzur Rahman, a spokesman for the country's police force, has denied allegations that law enforcement targets opposition activists. He claimed that authorities only intervene in protests "to maintain the law and order situation."
  • Last December, the US imposed sanctions on the Bangladeshi elite police force known as the "Rapid Action Battalion" and seven of its officials for "serious human rights violations." This includes reports of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Hrw, Dhaka Tribune, Al Arabiya, and BD.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Voa. The Bangladeshi government tramples on political opposition despite years of campaigns by global rights groups and US sanctions. Since 2009, thousands of people have been killed extrajudicially and more than 600 were victims of "enforced disappearance." The international community must work to curb this oppressive and authoritarian regime.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by India Today. So-called "rights abuses" in Bangladesh have been chronically misreported due to deliberate fabrications by activist groups and the BNP. A recent UN report even promoted biased half-truths and listed arsonists and drug peddlers as victims of "enforced disappearances." While the country may face institutional problems, the Awami League-led government is deeply committed to human rights.