U.S. and Amnesty International Condemn Bangladesh’s Crackdown on Awami League Supporters

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

The United States has expressed concerns following the arrest of hundreds of supporters and activists of the Awami League, the political party of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a significant crackdown ahead of a planned protest in Dhaka.

The demonstration was organized to oppose the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.

In a statement, the US State Department emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of expression, including for dissenting voices, within a functioning democracy.

Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, during a briefing, affirmed, “Upholding and protecting freedoms for Bangladeshis is necessary to ensure a true democratic future.”

He further added, “We support the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association for all, including dissenting and opposition voices. These freedoms are essential elements of any democracy. We routinely communicate that support to all our partners, including the interim government of Bangladesh.”

As the protest neared, Dhaka was heavily fortified, with 191 platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) deployed throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Authorities have denied permission for the Awami League to hold the demonstration, which was scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The political climate in Bangladesh has been increasingly tense since August 5, when a student-led movement forced Sheikh Hasina to flee to India after weeks of protests and violent clashes that resulted in over 600 deaths.

An interim government, headed by Yunus, was subsequently established.

The unrest has been accompanied by rising violence, including attacks targeting minority communities.

The international community, including the United Nations and several human rights organizations, has voiced alarm over the situation and called for immediate action from the interim government.

Amnesty International has also raised concerns about the escalating violence.

In a statement on social media platform X, Amnesty International South Asia’s Regional Office urged the Bangladeshi authorities to “swiftly and impartially investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the attacks on people perceived to be part of the Awami League at Zero Point on Sunday.”

The organization emphasized that “attacking people for their political beliefs is a violation of their right to freedom of expression and association,” urging the government to protect and uphold these rights for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.