Bangladesh student protests: UN chief concerned at violence

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

18 July 2024 - The UN chief urged the Government of Bangladesh on Thursday to create an environment that allows proper dialogue with student protesters following weeks of demonstrations in the South Asian country.

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres expressed concern about the reported deaths and injuries in Bangladesh amid student protests and is calling for a thorough Government investigations into all acts of violence.

About two weeks ago, student protests erupted on university campuses in the capital Dhaka and other cities, demanding an end to the Government job quota system, amid rising unemployment. News reports indicate that more than a dozen people have died during the protests.

Violence ‘never a solution’

The UN is calling on both sides to improve communication and negotiate in order to de-escalate the standoff.

“Violence is never a solution. The Secretary-General encourages meaningful and constructive participation of youth in building a better world,” said UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, at the daily press briefing in New York.

Mr. Dujarric told journalists that Secretary-General António Guterres, has been following the situation closely and is “deeply concerned” about the dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries that have been reported which has included violence against journalists covering the protests.

“It is important that we see restraint on all sides…The violence is not going to lead anywhere,” Mr. Dujarric said. - UN News