“Unprecedented loss of lives, a brutal picture of lack of good governance”

“Unprecedented loss of lives, a brutal picture of lack of good governance”

Dhaka, July 26 - The recent repression of the students' quota reformation movement for government jobs, coupled with unprecedented deaths and destruction, highlights severe governance deficiencies, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

In a press release on Friday, TIB emphasised that peaceful dissent and demonstrations are constitutional rights, not crimes.

The anti-corruption watchdog urged the government to learn from the crisis, stop repressive measures against students, and immediately accept all legitimate demands.

TIB also called for a dialogue with the movement's coordinators to create a mutually agreed roadmap for implementing the government's commitments, it added.

During the quota reformation movement, 200 people were killed, according to TIB. The  Executive Director of the anti-corruption watchdog Dr Iftekharuzzaman stated, “The constitution grants the right to peaceful dissent, rallies, protests, and demonstrations. Witnessing massive loss of lives and state property damage around a movement deemed peaceful by the government itself underscores an acute lack of good governance and accountability. Alarmingly, more deaths are being reported, including among children and teenagers uninvolved in the protests. It is crucial to question whether those responsible for these deaths will be held accountable.”

Dr Iftekharuzzaman also criticised the judicial commission's limited investigation into six deaths on July 16, questioning if the other lives lost were deemed worthless. According to media reports, students involved in the peaceful quota reformation movement live in constant fear of arrest, abduction, and torture. Students have reported abductions and torture by groups identifying as law enforcers, the release added.

“Government officials, including ministers, admitted that no students were not involved in any atrocities. Yet, illegal abductions by law enforcement agencies blatantly disregard constitutional rights to protest. This creates a fearful environment for freedom of speech and assembly,” The TIB ED added.

He demanded the government immediately accept students' legitimate demands, avoid retaliation, and foster dialogue. A unanimously agreed roadmap must be developed to ease the prevailing tension and fear. He also questioned the recent arrests and charges against protesters, urging the government not to turn it into a “festivity” of arrests and harassment.

The TIB ED criticised the internet shutdown as a suicidal decision, intended to obstruct free information flow.

“Cutting off citizens from internet service, under the guise of an arson attack on a data center, violated digital rights and disrupted essential services, trade, and commerce. This contradicts the government's vision of 'Digital Bangladesh' and 'Smart Bangladesh.' TIB urges the government to restore full internet service to revive trade, ensure information flow, and mitigate the damage caused.”

The arson attacks during the protest raised questions about the government institutions' preparedness and integrity in safeguarding important establishments.

TIB called for self-criticism and urged the government to refrain from repressive measures against dissenters, promoting a democratic and good-governance-oriented approach instead, the release stated further.-UNB