Bangladeshi international students at the University of Sussex staged a demonstration at Library Square on Friday evening, July 19th, protesting the state crackdown on student protests in their home country.
“Bangladesh is completely disconnected from the world. The government has shut down the internet all over the country. We don’t know from outside how our family is doing,” said Asfhaq, a Master’s student from Bangladesh.
“More than 40 students have died so far,” he added, referring to the police crackdown on student protests.
Abrar, a student at MAH School, expressed his distress, saying, “Maybe we’re living far away from our country, but not far away from our heart. We haven’t been able to contact our family for the last 48 hours. The autocratic government has shut down the internet for the sake of power.”
“We want justice and want to reform Bangladesh,” Abrar added.
Background
Students and instructors from Bangladeshi universities are participating in the 2024 Quota Reform Movement, sometimes called the Bangla Blockade.
They call for changes to the quota-based hiring practices currently used by the government.
International Response
UN Secretary-General António Guterres demanded a full government investigation into all acts of violence and voiced worry over the deaths and injuries that occurred during the student protests in Bangladesh.
During the daily press briefing in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric declared, “Violence is never a solution.”
“The Secretary-General exhorts young people to contribute positively and meaningfully to creating a better world.”