A change in the law favoring the hiring of family members of war veterans has led to large protests. More than 160 have died and dozens of injured have been treated in hospitals.
At least 532 people have been arrested in connection with the protests in Bangladesh, according to the police in the capital Dhaka.
Among those arrested are the leaders of the opposition BNP party, which is described as center-right.
According to AFP, more than 160 people have died in the protests and hundreds of police officers have been injured. Dozens of people have been taken to hospital.
AFP news agency also met people in Dhaka who say their relatives died in police bullets, even though they did not participate in the protests.
Huge protests erupted in Bangladesh last month when the country’s judiciary decided to reinstate a quota abolished in 2018, according to which 30 percent of government jobs must be reserved for family members of soldiers who fought in the 1971 war of independence.
Over the weekend, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court overturned a decision by a lower court to restore government job quotas to quell unrest. According to the new decision, the majority of salaries must be made based on merit.
Diplomats criticized the government’s actions
Some foreign embassies have criticized the Bangladesh administration for taking a hard line and questioned the foreign minister of Hasan Mahmud the picture it gives of the events. Mahmun called the ambassadors and showed them a 15-minute video of the damage caused by the protesters.
Among others, the ambassador of the United States, Peter Haas, marveled at the presentation.
– I’m surprised that you didn’t show the video where the police shoot unarmed protesters, Haas said according to AFP.
Also far from Bangladesh, in the United Arab Emirates in the Persian Gulf, a trial has begun against Bangladeshis who protested against the regime in their home country. Guest workers have demonstrated in the United Arab Emirates. They are accused, among other things, of gathering in public places and preparing for unrest.
Bangladeshis are the third largest group of foreign workers in the UAE. Trade unions are banned in the country, and freedom of speech is restricted by strict laws.
Sources: AFP, AP