Violent Suppression of Protests in Bangladesh Condemned by U.S. Senators

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), issued a strong statement today condemning the violent actions of Bangladeshi security forces against student protesters. The protests, driven by economic grievances and opposition to the government’s public sector employment quota system, have been met with severe repression.

In recent weeks, thousands of students have taken to the streets across Bangladesh. They are protesting the lack of economic opportunities and demanding the abolition of the inequitable quota system for public sector jobs, which reserves positions for relatives of veterans of Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. The security forces, including the controversial Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which has previously faced U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses, responded with extreme violence.

The crackdown has resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries and arrests among the protesters. This brutal response has drawn widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations and now from prominent U.S. lawmakers.

Senator Cardin and Senator Booker emphasized the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and protest as a cornerstone of democratic society. They called for an urgent, independent, and impartial investigation into the human rights violations committed by Bangladeshi security services. The Senators also urged the Bangladeshi government to respect the rights of the protestors and to engage constructively with their demands.

“The right to peacefully assemble and protest is one of the foundations of a democratic society,” the Senators stated. “We call on Bangladeshi authorities to urgently conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the security services’ human rights violations, as well as to respect the rights of the protestors, and work in good faith to address their grievances. The United States stands with these courageous individuals who are advocating for their dignity and for a prosperous future, and we will continue to speak up for human rights in Bangladesh and seek to hold accountable those involved in such abuses.”

This statement underscores the United States' commitment to supporting human rights and democratic principles globally. The Senators reaffirmed their dedication to holding accountable those responsible for the violent suppression of protests in Bangladesh, signaling continued vigilance and advocacy for justice and human rights.