Bangladesh: Alert on Protests by Students against the Quota System (Special Quota in Civil Service Recruitment)
POINT OF PURPOSE
In Bangladesh, student groups have been holding protests across the country, including demonstrations and traffic blockades, demanding reform of the quota system, triggered by the Supreme Court High Court’s decision to abolish the quota system in civil service recruitment in 2018, which was declared unconstitutional.
Clashes between student groups protesting and opposing student organizations, security agencies, and others have resulted in numerous injuries and deaths in several cities, including Dhaka.
Data communications, including those via cell phones, are restricted (voice calls can be made via cell phones), and communications are extremely unstable.
If you are planning to stay in or travel to Bangladesh, please stay away from areas where protests are taking place and stay informed of the latest information in the media to ensure your own safety.
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1 Since July 2, triggered by the Supreme Court High Court’s decision to declare unconstitutional the 2018 decision to abolish the quota system (a system that allocates special quotas to descendants of freedom fighters during the War of Independence in civil service recruitment), student groups demanding reform of the system have been holding protests in Dhaka city and other local cities including Protests by demonstrations and traffic blockades have continued throughout Bangladesh, including in Dhaka city and regional cities, as student groups demand reform of the system.
2 Demonstrations and traffic blockades have been held in various parts of the country, causing traffic chaos, and clashes have occurred between student groups protesting and opposing student organizations and security agencies, resulting in many injured people. Clashes since July 16 have also resulted in deaths in several cities, including Dhaka, and the death toll has risen to over 20.
3 Since July 18, data communication through cell phones has been inoperable, and since the night of July 18, all data communications other than cell phones have also been extremely unstable.
4 Japanese citizens are urged to obtain the latest information from the media and other sources, and to take precautions to avoid being caught in unforeseen circumstances. Please avoid going near protests and rallies, and if you encounter a protest or rally, take steps to ensure your own safety, such as evacuating the area immediately.
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