[Today’s Prayer] Bangladeshi student protests marred by oppression and torture... Criticism of “state violence”

Tight security is in place in Bangladesh, where violence broke out in the process of suppressing student protests against government policies. The protests subsided for the time being after the Supreme Court proposed a compromise, but the standoff between students and the government is expected to continue for some time. The international community's criticism of the Bangladesh government's violent 'excessive suppression' is also growing.

On the 22nd (local time), the Associated Press reported that while the protests that spread across the country have calmed down, the internet blockade and curfew that began on the 18th and 19th are still in place until this day. According to reports, soldiers are still stationed on the streets, and bullets and blood stains remain everywhere on the roads.

Recently, protests against the government-promoted civil servant quota system took place across the country in Bangladesh. The government had been pursuing a policy of allocating 30% of government jobs to children of soldiers who fought in the 1971 War of Independence, but it was abolished in 2018 after facing opposition. However, as the High Court recently ruled to revive this system, opposition from college students who are having trouble finding jobs has grown. The peaceful protests that began at the end of last month escalated into violence as they clashed with the police, but the commotion stopped for a while when the Supreme Court ordered the allocation ratio to be reduced to 5% the day before.

However, tensions between protesters and the government remain. Protesters demanded the release of detained students and the lifting of curfews and university closures. In addition, they issued an 'ultimatum' to fulfil eight demands, including a public apology from the Prime Minister and dismissal of police and government officials, within 48 hours.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to apologize. He blamed the violence on the opposition party and student groups, and said the curfew was “necessary to protect the lives and property of citizens,” and “(the curfew) will be lifted at any time when the situation improves.”

However, there are constant criticisms from overseas that Prime Minister Hasina's excessive crackdown led to violence. On this day, protests were held in neighboring India and Sri Lanka denouncing the Bangladesh government, and students at Oxford University in the UK criticized the incident as “state violence.” Previously, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called the government's response "shocking" and called for a thorough investigation into the violence and guaranteed peaceful protests.

Earlier, Prime Minister Hasina deployed the military across the country to suppress protests. He was also found to have given orders to fire immediately if necessary. Official casualty figures have not been announced, but AFP reported that 163 deaths were reported in local hospitals. Reuters also reported that at least 147 people died in this incident.

Dhaka police announced that a total of 532 people were arrested for participating in the protests, and three police officers were killed. There were also testimonies that students who were caught by the police suffered torture. Nahid Islam, who was released after being detained on charges of leading a protest, said, “20 to 30 police officers dragged me away and tortured me until I passed out. I still have bruises on my arms and legs.”

Meanwhile, some say that this incident is the result of accumulated dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Hasina's iron-fisted rule that goes beyond the quota system. The New York Times pointed out that although Prime Minister Hasina has achieved economic growth since coming to power, the benefits have been concentrated only in a few people, and that “their anger is directed at wealth inequality and government corruption that have accumulated over a long period of time.” He also pointed out that although there was great social consensus at the beginning of the implementation of the quota system, suspicions were growing that the system had degenerated into a means of maintaining the vested interests of pro-government figures.

Source: News

“…because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:50)

Lord, we hear that there are many casualties and suffering in Bangladesh due to student protests.

As a result of student protests against the government's policies, the government has been ruthlessly using violence against students to the point of state violence, and students are not giving in and continue to fight back against the government.

Jesus, make your face to shine and appear among these nations.

In the midst of this unfortunate situation of confrontation, hatred, and casualties,

may Jesus Christ, the only peace, come as a light.

May this nation, burning with anger, be a people who love one another and delight in you alone.

May we be a people who meet You in the storm and are not surprised, who are not afraid but secure in You, who live not according to the peace of the world but only to the glory of God!