Will Sheikh Hasina take responsibility for the Bangladesh protests' high death toll? | DW News

In Bangladesh, authorities have begun easing internet restrictions and a curfew imposed after student-led protests over state job quotas led to mass unrest. Soldiers are still deployed in large numbers on the country's streets including in the capital Dhaka, the scene of some of the worst violence. The government has accepted a court ruling largely scrapping the hated quota system, as demanded by protesters. But students have threatened to resume demonstrations if the government doesn't quickly ease restrictions.

Despite the crackdown and the Supreme Court recommendation, some student protesters have vowed to continue. Sarjis Alam, one of the quota reform protest coordinators, told DW that the court decision doesn't fully address their demands, as it essentially leaves it up to the government to decide on how to implement to quota system. "The court said the quota issue is a policy decision of the government and the authorities can change the ratio of the quotas if they want," said Alam. He added that the court has asked the government to quickly issue information on how it intends to reform the quota system.

Meanwhile, the student protesters are also demanding justice for those killed during the demonstrations. Alam has accused political wings of the ruling party of being involved in the protesters' deaths, a charge the government has denied. Protesters have also said they were beaten by police. Human rights group Amnesty International said video evidence from clashes last week showed that Bangladesh's security forces had used unlawful force.

#Bangladesh #quotaprotest

For more news go to

Follow DW on social media:

Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie