The streets of Bangladesh are engulfed in turmoil as thousands of students protest against a controversial quota system in government jobs. This movement has emerged as the most significant challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration during her fourth term. The protests, driven by demands to abolish the quota system, have resulted in violent clashes, a death toll exceeding 100, and an increasingly repressive government response.
The conflict revolves around a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for descendants of veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence. While designed to honour those who fought for the nation's freedom, many students view the policy as discriminatory and a barrier to employment in a country struggling with high unemployment rates.
The protests, which began in late June 2024, escalated dramatically when student activists from Dhaka University clashed with police. The situation worsened when members of the ruling Awami League party's student wing reportedly attacked the demonstrators, turning peaceful protests into violent confrontations.
The government's response has been severe. With over a hundred lives lost and thousands injured, the administration has declared public holidays to keep citizens indoors, imposed strict curfews, and enforced a communication blackout by suspending mobile data and text services. Soldiers and tanks now patrol the once bustling streets of Dhaka and other major cities, illustrating the government's attempt to regain control.
The Supreme Court's intervention on Sunday, ordering that 93% of government jobs be allocated based on merit, was a partial victory for the protesters. However, it remains uncertain whether this will suffice to quell the unrest. The remaining 7% of jobs are reserved for veterans, ethnic minorities, and transgender and disabled individuals.
The violence peaked on 18 July 2024, with the bloodiest day of the protests leaving 22 dead, predominantly undergraduate students. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, and internet and mobile services were cut off to hinder the organization of further protests.
The government has taken draconian measures, including a "shoot-on-sight" order for severe disturbances. Reports of arson, including the burning of vehicles and government facilities, have emerged, along with allegations of excessive force by police, as highlighted by human rights groups.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has defended the quota system, asserting the need to honour war veterans. However, her administration faces increasing scrutiny for its heavy-handed approach. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has supported the students, further intensifying the political stakes.
Members of the opposition and their supporters, particularly those affiliated with the BNP in the UK, face significant risks of persecution. Given the ongoing crackdown, the possibility of safe internal relocation within Bangladesh is increasingly uncertain. This is crucial for current asylum considerations, as returning individuals to such an environment could expose them to severe harm. This can be referred to the Home Office's guidance entitled 'The Country Policy and Information Note Bangladesh: Political Parties and Affiliation' (September 2020) which states that:
"Human Rights Watch (HRW) noted in its annual report covering events in the election year of 2018: "Bangladesh continued a harsh crackdown to suppress those that disagree or are critical of the ruling Awami League. These included members and supporters of the political opposition, journalists, prominent members of civil society, as well as students, and even school children. [...] Thousands of opposition supporters, including senior leaders, faced trumped-up cases. Newspapers reported that even names of individuals who are dead or critically ill in the hospital were included in these arbitrary actions."
The Secretary of State for the Home Department's (SSHD's) published policy guidance also accepts that politically motivated harassment, arrests, and detention occur in Bangladesh:
- Politically-motivated harassment, arrests, and detentions
- There is complete intolerance for any viewpoint seen as opposing the government.
- The ruling Awami League (AL) has consolidated political power through sustained harassment of the opposition and those perceived to be allied with it.
The guidance further details:
- Since the AL came to power in 2008, it has significantly restricted the activities of opposition parties, particularly the BNP and JI.
- Reports indicate the use of police and other security forces to arrest opposition members, prevent opposition parties from holding meetings, and pressure opposition candidates to withdraw from elections.
- Human Rights Watch reports indicate that since the 2013 protests, the Awami League government has cracked down on the political opposition, with numerous instances of illegal detention, torture, and politically motivated killings.
In any relevant Bangladeshi political asylum claim, the SSHD must address whether there would be sufficient protection for individuals facing persecution. Current asylum caseworker guidance emphasises the need for protection regardless of various personal attributes and the practical ability of individuals to relocate within their country of origin.
The turmoil in Bangladesh over the quota system in public service recruitment highlights deep-seated issues of governance, human rights, and political freedom. The government's severe response to the protests has raised significant concerns about the state of democracy and civil liberties in the country.