New Delhi
CNN
—
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Dhaka on Saturday to demand the dissolution of Parliament, making way for new elections and the resignation of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Massive protests in the capital were organized by the opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP). BNP has accused Hasina of failing to cope with rising fuel prices and rising costs of living.
Saturday’s protests came amid a spate of demonstrations in Bangladesh calling for Hasina to resign and call for new elections.
Hasina responded by calling opposition leaders “arsonist terrorists” and warning people not to allow the largest opposition party, the BNP, to return to power.
Several arrests were made in the lead-up to Saturday’s protests.
Police arrested two BNP leaders on Friday, including party general secretary Mirza Alamgil. Authorities said Alamgil had been charged, but did not provide further information.
At least one man died during clashes between protesters and police on Wednesday when security forces fired tear gas to disperse those gathered in front of the BNP’s offices in the capital.
Hassan Mahmoud, Bangladesh’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said authorities believed the man died after sustaining injuries. [Molotov] State media BSS reported that they made cocktails made by activists and accused the BNP of “causing chaos”.
The Bangladesh Electoral Commission has not announced the date of the next general election, which is due by the end of 2023.
The Bangladesh Awami League, led by 75-year-old Hasina, has been in power since 2009.
Hasina won her third straight term as prime minister in the 2018 national elections.
Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch, criticized the government’s response to the protests.
“Concerned governments should publicly demand that the prime minister allow Bangladeshis to freely participate in peaceful political activities,” she said.
“Sheikh Hasina should accept the challenge of democratic rule, not dictatorial abuse.”
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D. Haas said in a statement Thursday that the embassy was concerned about reports of intimidation and political violence and urged authorities to investigate and protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. urged.
