Yunus briefs brutal repression during anti-quota protests
Diplomatic Correspondent :
During a briefing with foreign diplomats at the Hotel Intercontinental on 18 August, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, recounted the distressing scenes he witnessed in hospitals and emphasised the extraordinary sacrifices made by students in their struggle for democratic rights and human dignity.
Dr. Yunus paid tribute to the students and young individuals who lost their lives or suffered from severe injuries during the quota reform movement and the subsequent violence that led to the downfall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
“Students in no other country have had to make such profound sacrifices for their democratic rights and human dignity,” Dr. Yunus stated.
Describing the brutality faced by young protesters, he revealed that many were severely injured by the forces and the student wing of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
“Some young people have even lost their eyesight due to rubber bullets fired at them,” Dr. Yunus reported.
In his address, Dr. Yunus also criticised the Hasina regime for allegedly dismantling key institutions in Bangladesh to cling to power.
He accused the regime of undermining the judiciary, electoral system, and democratic processes.
“In their efforts to remain in power, the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship has destroyed every institution in the country,” Dr. Yunus asserted.
“The judiciary was broken, democratic rights were suppressed through a brutal decade-and-a-half-long crackdown, and elections were blatantly rigged.
Generations of young people have grown up without the opportunity to exercise their voting rights.
Banks were robbed with full political patronage, and the state coffers were plundered by abusing power.”
Dr. Yunus emphasised the need for urgent reforms in the country’s governance. “I took over a country that was in many ways a complete mess.
We will hold a free, fair, participatory election as soon as we can complete our mandate to carry out vital reforms in our election commission, judiciary, civil administration, security forces, and media.
We will also make sincere efforts to promote national reconciliation. I must succeed. We don’t have any other option,” he said.
Outlining the priorities of the interim government, Dr. Yunus asserted that bringing law and order under control was the foremost objective.
“The top priority of the interim government would be to bring the law and order situation under control. We will be close to normalcy within a short period, with the unwavering support of our people and patriotic armed forces.”
He also noted that police forces had resumed their regular operations, with the armed forces providing assistance where necessary.
“The police force has also resumed their operations. As long as the situation allows, the armed forces will continue to assist civil power.
Our government remains pledge-bound to ensure safety and security for all religious and ethnic groups.”
Addressing recent violence, Dr. Yunus vowed to deliver justice for the killings during the mass uprising.
“We have also made it a priority to ensure justice and accountability for all the killings and violence committed during the recent mass uprising,” he remarked.
He further announced his communication with the UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, to initiate a fact-finding mission.
“We want an impartial and internationally credible investigation into the massacre and subsequent due judicial processes. We will provide whatever support the UN investigators need.”
Dr. Yunus highlighted the importance of reforming Bangladesh’s democratic system, stating that the revolutionary students demanded “meaningful and deep reforms” to transform the country into “a real and thriving democracy.”
He acknowledged the difficulty of the task but remained optimistic: “The task is huge, but doable with the support of all people and the international community.”
On economic matters, Dr. Yunus promised robust reforms aimed at restoring stability.
“We will undertake robust and far-reaching economic reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and sustained growth, with priority attached to good governance and combating corruption and mismanagement.”
Dr. Yunus reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to its international obligations.
“We will uphold and promote all our international legal obligations, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Our government will adhere to all international, regional, and bilateral instruments it is a party to. Bangladesh shall continue to remain an active proponent of multilateralism, with the UN at its core.”
Regarding Bangladesh’s contribution to global peacekeeping, he added, “We look forward to maintaining and enhancing Bangladesh’s contributions to the UN peacekeeping operations.”
Regarding the repatriation of the Rohingyas, he said, “Our government will continue to support the millions of Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh.
We need sustained efforts from the international community for Rohingya humanitarian operations and their eventual repatriation to their homeland, Myanmar, with safety, dignity, and full rights.”
About the interim government’s diplomatic relations, he said, “Our government will nurture friendly relations with all countries in the spirit of mutual respect, understanding, and shared interests.
We call upon our trade and investment partners to maintain their trust in Bangladesh for economic prosperity.”
Mentioning Bangladesh’s apparel industry as a key player, he said, “We won’t tolerate any attempt to disrupt the global clothing supply chain in which we are a key player.”
Seeking support from the diplomats and their headquarters, he said, “Bangladesh stands at the crossroads of a new beginning. Our valiant students and people deserve a lasting transformation of our nation.
It is a difficult journey, and we need your help along the way. We need to fulfil their aspirations. The sooner it is, the better it is.”
“We have to create opportunities to build a poverty-free and prosperous new Bangladesh.
We believe all our friends and partners in the international community will stand by our government and people as we chart a new democratic future,” the Nobel Laureate continued.
Terming the student-people movement as the second revolution, he said, “Hundreds of thousands of our valiant students and people rose up against the brutal dictatorship of Sheikh Hasina.
She fled the country, but only after the security forces and her party’s student wing committed the country’s worst civilian massacre since the country’s independence.”
Paying deep respect and homage for supreme sacrifice, he said, “A new era has begun as the students impressed upon us their dream of a country where people, regardless of their political, religious, or ethnic identity, will be able to fulfil their aspirations and enjoy full freedom of expression, with the government upholding democracy, justice, human rights, and freedom of speech.”