Political Unrest in Bangladesh, Clashes on Streets| Headache for PM Sheikh Hasina| Oneindia
It's Sheikh Hasina vs Khaleda Zia in Bangladesh. Political tensions and unrest have escalated due to a dispute over the oversight of the upcoming general election in January 2024. Watch this video on why political unrest is peaking in Bangladesh and how the International community has responded.
#Bangladesh #SheikhHasina #HabiganjProtest
~HT.98~PR.152~ED.155~
#Bangladesh #SheikhHasina #HabiganjProtest
~HT.98~PR.152~ED.155~
Transcript
00:00 "Sai Ji! Sai Ji!"
00:05 Habiganj in north-eastern Bangladesh is on the boil.
00:21 Clashes between police forces and opposition activists took a violent turn here on Saturday.
00:26 Over 300 people were injured.
00:29 Police used batons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
00:34 Among those injured were both protesters and law enforcement officers.
00:38 The opposition activists, numbering in thousands, were marching through the streets to voice their demands.
00:44 The political dispute centers around the upcoming general elections in January 2024.
00:50 The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khalid Aziz,
00:57 has been demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
01:00 and the establishment of a non-party caretaker government to oversee the election process.
01:06 The BNP and its allies allege that the ruling party, the Awami League,
01:10 engaged in vote-rigging during the previous elections in 2014 and 2018.
01:15 BNP claims there is no possibility of a fair election under the current government
01:20 and that important institutions have been undermined.
01:23 The party also points to rising prices of essential goods and violations of human rights.
01:29 The ruling Awami League, led by PM Sheikh Hasina,
01:32 has consistently rejected opposition demands for a caretaker government.
01:36 The government argues that such a move is unconstitutional,
01:40 referencing the Supreme Court's decision in 2011 to strike down the provision
01:44 allowing for an unelected, non-partisan caretaker administration to oversee new elections.
01:52 PM Hasina, who has been in power since 2009,
01:55 emphasizes that the upcoming election should be held under the government's supervision,
02:00 as stipulated by the constitution.
02:02 Despite allegations of authoritarianism and human rights abuses against her administration,
02:08 Hasina seeks to secure a fourth consecutive term in office.
02:12 The international community, including the United States, the European Union and the United Nations,
02:21 has expressed concern over the escalating situation in Bangladesh.
02:25 They have urged all parties involved to refrain from violence and engage in a peaceful resolution.
02:31 The focus has been on ensuring the credibility of the upcoming election,
02:35 promoting democratic principles and safeguarding the rights of citizens.
02:39 The recent clashes and political unrest in north-eastern Bangladesh
02:43 highlight the deep-seated tensions surrounding the oversight of the upcoming general election.
02:48 The opposition's demands for a neutral caretaker government
02:51 and the government's insistence on retaining its supervisory role underscore the complexity of the situation.
02:58 As international pressure mounts for a peaceful resolution,
03:01 the trajectory of Bangladesh's political landscape remains uncertain,
03:05 with implications for both domestic stability and democratic principles.
03:11 "No to the military!" "No to the military!" "No to the military!" "No to the military!" "No to the military!"
03:23 For more UN videos visit: www.un.org/webcast