Two U.S. Senators have issued a statement condemning the use of force by law enforcement on quota reform protesters in Bangladesh, urging an urgent investigation into human rights violations by security forces. The statement was released on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s website on Tuesday.
The two senators are Ben Cardin and Cory Booker. Ben Cardin serves as the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The statement reads, “In recent weeks, thousands of students took to the streets to protest against the lack of economic opportunities and to demand the end of the discriminatory quota system in government jobs. Under this system, quotas are reserved for relatives of those who participated in Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. Instead of engaging with the legitimate demands of the protesters, Bangladesh’s security forces, including the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), have brutally used force. Hundreds of protesters have been killed, and thousands have been arrested or injured.”
The senators emphasized that the right to peaceful assembly and protest is a cornerstone of democratic societies.
The statement further urges the Bangladeshi authorities to respect the rights of the protesters and to consider their grievances sincerely. “We call for an urgent, independent, and impartial investigation into human rights violations by security forces.”
The senators also stated, “The United States stands with these brave individuals who are fighting for their dignity and a prosperous future. We will continue to speak out for human rights in Bangladesh and call for accountability for those involved in human rights abuses.”
