As the political crisis in Bangladesh deepens, a dark and disturbing pattern has emerged: the government's systematic abduction and torture of student protest coordinators. These brave students, who have been at the forefront of the quota reform movement, are being targeted in an effort to dismantle the movement and silence dissent. Despite a recent press conference where six detained coordinators announced the cessation of protest programs, student organizations and institutions across the country have denounced the coerced statements as fraudulent and have vowed to continue their fight.
The Context
On Sunday, six key coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, including Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Abu Bakar Majumder, Asif Mahmud, and Nusrat Tabassum, were forced to announce the withdrawal of protest programs in a video message from the premises of the Detective Branch (DB) office. In the video, Nahid Islam, visibly under duress, read a scripted statement, claiming that the protest programs were being called off to ensure a peaceful educational environment.
"Many have been unexpectedly injured and killed during the quota reform movement and the ensuing chaos. We condemn these undesirable incidents and demand a thorough investigation and swift justice. Our main demand for rational reform of the quota system has already been met by the government. Therefore, in the interest of ensuring a conducive educational environment, we are withdrawing our programs from this moment," Nahid stated in the video.
However, this announcement was immediately rejected by other coordinators, who emphasized that the statements were made under extreme pressure.
Abdul Kader, another coordinator, stated to The Daily Star, "We reject the video message. Nahid and the others were coerced into making these statements under severe pressure. We will soon issue a detailed statement after consulting with the remaining coordinators."
On Facebook, Kader further elaborated, "The statement made under duress while being held hostage can never be acceptable to the nation. The detained coordinators were forced to read a pre-written statement by the intelligence agencies. We reject this statement and strongly condemn and protest the government's heinous act of extracting statements under coercion."
Abductions and Torture of Coordinators
The government’s campaign against the student leaders has been marked by a series of abductions and instances of torture. Coordinators such as Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud were forcibly taken into custody and later found to have been physically tortured. Arif Sohel, a student at Jahangirnagar University and a coordinator of the quota reform movement, was abducted from his home by plainclothes men identifying themselves as DB officials. His family reported that the men threatened to break down the door and confiscated all phones before taking Arif and his elder brother. While his brother was later released, Arif remains missing, raising serious concerns about his safety.
Previously, three other coordinators, Asif Mahmud, Abu Bakar Majumder, and Rifat Rashid, were abducted and subjected to severe torture. They were blindfolded and left in various parts of Dhaka after days of forced disappearances.
Rifat Rashid recounted his harrowing experience of being injected with a substance that made him lose consciousness whenever he resisted the demands to call off the protests. He narrowly escaped further abduction and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.
In another report by The Daily Star, it was highlighted that Dhaka residents are now facing a new wave of fear due to the law enforcement's aggressive tactics.
Law enforcement vehicles patrol various areas, often disconnecting internet services and cutting off streetlights to target specific houses. They invade homes, confiscate mobile phones, and mistreat residents, especially targeting students. Those found with any connection to the protests are abducted, and in cases where the primary target is not found, family members are taken instead.
This has created an atmosphere of terror, with searchlights from helicopters further intensifying the fear among the residents.
Legal Experts Condemn Government Actions
The actions of the government and the DB have been heavily criticized by legal experts and academics. ZI Khan Panna, a Supreme Court lawyer, stated, "The law enforcers kept protesting students detained in violation of the Supreme Court guidelines and the relevant provisions of the law and constitution." He emphasized that detainees must be informed of the reasons for their detention within three hours and must be allowed to meet their nominated lawyers and parents, and be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours.
Jyotirmoy Barua, another SC lawyer, pointed out the illegality of the DB's actions, stating, "There is no terminology for picking up someone to provide security. Picking up someone is abduction, and abduction is a criminal offense." He further explained that any arrest must comply with the directives of the Supreme Court, and any detention beyond 24 hours is unlawful.
Even Rushad Faridi, an assistant professor at Dhaka University, found the DB's rationale for picking up the coordinators ridiculous. "One, who needs security, and his family will decide where he or she will stay for their safety. No force can decide it. What type of security is it to pick up someone who is undergoing treatment at a hospital without the permission of the person and their family?" he questioned, highlighting the government's attempts to create a reign of terror and suppress any future protests.
The Daily Star's report also included remarks from human rights activist Noor Khan Liton, who criticized the block raids carried out by the police and other forces. He noted, "Recently, following the student movement, we have observed that police and sometimes other forces are conducting block raids in various areas, targeting homes and messes, often late at night. They are using excessive force, mistreating residents, and even dismantling CCTV cameras. These actions have created an atmosphere of fear and are a blatant violation of human rights."
Nationwide Rejection of the Coerced Statements
Student organizations and academic institutions across Bangladesh have categorically rejected the coerced withdrawal announcements. Abdul Kader emphasized that the movement would continue until their demands are fully met, including an apology from the Prime Minister for the killings of students, the resignation of the Home Minister, and other demands.
"Our movement will persist until our nine-point demands, including justice for the murdered students, are met. We urge the citizens not to be misled by the government's propaganda. The fight for justice and fair quota reforms will continue," Kader declared.
The protest coordinators have outlined specific demands that must be met for the agitation to cease. These include the release of imprisoned students, the withdrawal of false charges, and visible punishments for government officials involved in the crackdown. Additionally, they plan to establish a "health force" to document casualties and a "legal force" to provide legal assistance to those facing government charges.
In light of the escalating violence and human rights abuses, the international community has been called upon to intervene. During a virtual press conference on July 27th, Abdul Hannan Masud, a coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination, appealed to global leaders and human rights organizations. "We urge the international community, influential countries, human rights groups, student bodies, and non-governmental organizations to take urgent steps to stop the brutal crackdown in Bangladesh," he stated. Masud drew parallels with the Pakistani military’s crackdown in 1971, emphasizing the severity of the current situation.
Local reports suggest that as many as 61,000 people, including many unnamed individuals, have been implicated in criminal charges, and thousands have been arrested. The protest leaders have emphasized that the movement will continue until their demands are met, urging all citizens of Bangladesh to stand in solidarity.
Government's Response and the Path Forward
The government's response to the protests has been marked by increasing brutality and attempts to suppress dissent through force. The home minister, Asaduzzaman Kamal, claimed that the detained leaders were taken into custody to "save them" from unspecified threats. However, reports of enforced disappearances and signs of physical torture have emerged, revealing the harsh reality faced by the detained protestors.
In a press release, ISPR claimed that a smear campaign is being run against the Bangladesh Army in foreign media and on social media. The press release stated that "some vested quarters" are spreading false and misleading information against the army. ISPR sought cooperation from the people to not be confused by these misleading reports, asserting that the army is working in aid of the civil administration to control the law and order situation, safeguard people’s lives, and maintain peace.
The student protests, which began in mid-July against a quota system favoring descendants of registered freedom fighters, have transformed into a broader civil unrest. The violent crackdowns by security forces and Awami League members have led to hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries, further galvanizing the movement.
Despite the government's repressive measures, the resolve of the student movement remains unshaken. Student organizations have announced further protest programs scheduled for Monday, July 29, 2024. These new initiatives aim to maintain the momentum of the movement and highlight the ongoing struggle against government oppression.
Bangladesh's youth exhibit courage and resilience in their pursuit of a fairer society. The international community's response and the government's next steps will be crucial in determining the future course of this struggle for justice and equality.
