Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, State Department correspondent
The United States has condemned violence against peaceful protesters in Bangladesh and is monitoring the ongoing situation, said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday.
Miller made these remarks at a briefing in response to a question from State Department correspondent Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, who highlighted that tens of thousands of students have been protesting for the last few days, demanding the abolition of quotas in favor of a merit-based system for civil service jobs. Ansarey also reported that the ruling party’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, attacked the protesters and injured around 500 of them, following a threat from the prime minister. Additionally, the attackers targeted students seeking treatment in an emergency room.
“So we are aware of and are monitoring reports of widespread student protests in Dhaka and around Bangladesh that have killed two and attacked and injured hundreds,” replied Miller.
He emphasized that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are essential building blocks of any thriving democracy.
“We condemn any violence against peaceful protesters. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this violence,” Miller added.
MR/
