Bangladesh protests
The Bangladesh Malta Business Association shall be presenting a petition to the Speaker of the Maltese Parliament on Tuesday. There will also be a peaceful protest by the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Malta in Valletta.
This is the full text of the petition:
We, the undersigned, are writing to express our deep concern and outrage over the ongoing genocide and violence against students in Bangladesh who are part of the student quota movement. This movement, which seeks fair and equitable educational reforms, has been met with severe repression, leading to numerous casualties and human rights abuses.
Background: The student quota movement in Bangladesh began as a peaceful protest demanding reforms in the quota system for government jobs, aiming to ensure merit-based opportunities for all students. However, the government's response has been excessively violent, resulting in deaths, injuries, and disappearances of student activists. These actions amount to a genocide against students, threatening their fundamental rights and freedoms.
Reports indicate that numerous students have been killed, injured, or disappeared, creating an atmosphere of fear and repression. Government deploy army and issued an Emergency notice .
Key Concerns:
1. Loss of Innocent Lives: The violence has led to the death of many innocent students who were exercising their democratic right to protest.
2. Violence and Genocide: Students have been subjected to extreme violence, including killings, torture, and enforced disappearances, constituting a genocide against the youth.
3. Human Rights Violations: The crackdown on the student quota movement represents gross violations of human rights, including freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to peaceful protest.
4. Suppression of Free Speech: The government's response to these protests is a direct attack on freedom of speech and assembly, fundamental pillars of any democratic society.
5. Suppression of Democracy: The government's heavy-handed response undermines democratic principles and stifles legitimate demands for educational and social reforms.
6. Impunity for Perpetrators: There has been a lack of accountability for those responsible for the violence, fostering a culture of impunity and further endangering students.
Our Demands:
1. End the Violence: We demand an immediate cessation of all forms of violence against students and activists involved in the quota movement.
2. Independent Investigation: Conduct an impartial and thorough investigation into the acts of genocide and human rights abuses, with results made public.
3. Justice for Victims: Ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and provide compensation and support to the victims and their families.
4. Protect Student Rights: Safeguard the rights of students to peacefully protest and express their demands without fear of repression.
5. Implement Reforms: Address the legitimate demands of the student quota movement by implementing fair and transparent educational reforms.
6. International Oversight: We urge international human rights organizations and foreign governments to monitor the situation and apply pressure on the Bangladeshi authorities to uphold international human rights standards.
We call upon the relevant authorities to take immediate and effective action to address these grave issues. The future of Bangladesh's students and the integrity of its educational system depend on swift and decisive measures to ensure justice and protect human rights.
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