The US has urged Bangladesh to protect the right to peaceful protest after multiple people were killed and scores injured in clashes between protesters and police over the government’s job quota system.
“We condemn any violence against peaceful protesters,” said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. “We’ve been watching this matter very closely.”
Students are protesting against public sector job quotas, which reserve 30% of positions for family members of 1971 war fighters. The quotas have angered students facing high youth unemployment rates, with 32 million young Bangladeshis not in work or education.
Protests intensified after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to meet protesters’ demands. The protests are the first significant challenge to Hasina’s government since her fourth consecutive term in January.
The US has called on the government to uphold individuals’ rights to protest peacefully. At least six people, including three students, were killed in clashes on Tuesday. PM Hasina has announced a judicial committee to investigate the killings.
