Justice is not a privilege; it is a right. And I will not stop until it belongs to everyone.
Sheikh Hasina’s Regime Ends in Bloodshed: A Benchmark Event in the History of Bangladesh
August 2024 witnessed the destruction of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, which had authoritarily reigned for 15 years. His government has faced allegations regarding corruption and the abuse of citizens’ rights. This angered a lot of students and political activists who openly revolted alongside the rest of the people. In the initial stages, this discontent was sparked with the protest concerning job quotas, which quickly transformed into an all-out revolution. Instead of addressing the core problems, she unleashed terror on the already aggrieved population, aggressively making use of the police, army and RAB (Rapid Action Battalion)
The Bloody Crackdown: Hundreds Wounded
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is known for thier extrajudicial actions, and did not shy away from enforcing suppression during protests. Many human rights syiactists claimed RAB operated as a death squad. During the protests, RAB’s actions further convermed those fears. Additional reports detail forced night time raids, torture, and disappearances that did nothing but fuel public anger.
The Hasina regime’s crackdowns were horrific in nature. Out of the 300 people killed, the body count only increases with 1000s reported missing or suffering severe injuries. Protestors were treated with live firearms, tear gas and rubber bullets were frequent among security personnel. The disciplined forces started enforcing strict curfews for civilians which only led to more deaths. Videos surfaced of people receiving shots, getting beaten and abducted in broad daylight.
A History of Human Rights Abuses Under Hasina
Most people know that Sheikh Hasina’s rule of the country came with severe authoritarian rule. Her government suppressed opposition by imprisoning political rivals and controlling media with heavy regulations. Journalists working against her and trying to speak out were arrested under the Digital Security Act, which is widely condemned for abuse of power.
Throughout Hasina’s reign, the opposition leader Khaleda Zia was arrested on corruption claims, while activists and dissenting people were often arrested as well. People of power simply started disappearing without a trace, only to never be found out again. Many international human rights activists urged for investigations, however Hasina’s government has disregarded the claims.
The Withdrawal: Military Aid Pullouts
The protests became widespread and so did the international pressure, and even the military that bordered on being Hasina’s strength slowly began to withdraw. Owing to internal fragmentation, the government’s attempts to contain the protests without bloodshed became unmanageable. It is said that certain senior military officers did not agree to further deferring forceful measures against the protesters, which ultimately led to Hasina’s political seclusion.
As she recognized the inevitability of the situation, she announced her stepping down and escaping the country instead. What once was an impossible possibility, a ruthless authoritarian being overtaken by a enraged populace, is now the new norm in Bangladesh.
What is In Store for Bangladesh?
With Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh is left with a uncertain but promising outlook. The student populist revolt that was crucial to her ouster has already declared their intention to create a new party. Nonetheless, the wounds from her dictatorial rule are still raw. A majority of civilians who were murdered still do not have justice and there is a looming question with whether the logic behind such violence would ever be acknowledged.
The authoritarianism which has overpowered Bangladesh fell with Sheikh Hasina. But with all the citizens that have been tortured during her reign, the quest for democracy is only starting.
