New Delhi
CNN
—
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Dhaka on Saturday, calling for the dissolution of parliament to make way for new elections and demanding the resignation of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The mass protest in the capital was organized by the opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP), which accused Ms Hasina of failing to address rising fuel prices and the cost of living.
Saturday’s protest came amid a series of protests in Bangladesh calling for Hasina’s resignation and demanding new elections.
Hasina responded by calling opposition leaders “arson terrorists” and warning people not to allow the BNP – the largest opposition party – to return to power.
Several arrests were made before Saturday’s protest.
Police arrested two top BNP leaders, including party secretary-general Mirza Alamgir, on Friday. Authorities said Alamgir was facing charges, without providing further information.
At least one man died in clashes between protesters and police on Wednesday as security forces fired tear gas to disperse people gathered in front of the BNP’s offices in the capital.
Hasan Mahmud, Bangladesh’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said authorities believe the man died after being injured by [Molotov] cocktails made by activists and blamed the BNP for “creating chaos,” according to a report in state media agency BSS.
The Election Commission of Bangladesh has not yet announced the date of the next general election, which is expected to take place at the end of 2023.
The Bangladesh Awami Federation, led by Hasina, 75, has been in power since 2009.
Hasina was elected prime minister for the third consecutive term in 2018 in a national election that was marred by deadly violence and allegations of vote rigging.
Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of Human Rights Watch, criticized the government’s response to the protests.
“The governments involved should publicly call on the prime minister to allow Bangladeshis to freely engage in peaceful political activities,” she said.
“Sheikh Hasina should accept the challenge of democracy, not dictatorial abuse.”
U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D. Haas said in a statement on Thursday that the embassy is concerned about reports of political intimidation and violence, and called on authorities to investigate and protect protect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
