Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz is quoted in a report in The Guardian on the political situation in Bangladesh. The report, “Full prisons and false charges: Bangladesh opposition faces pre-election crackdown,” highlights the huge number of political activists arrested since October 28. A rally of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was dispersed by law enforcement agencies and violence ensued. Riaz told The Guardian that the violence appeared premeditated by the authorities as a means to crack down on the BNP.
“The response of the police, which triggered the violence, seemed to be planned well ahead of the rally,” Riaz said. “Internet services were blocked, not only to disrupt communication among the activists but also to prevent live transmission of the police actions.”
Bangladesh is facing a political impasse regarding the election scheduled for January 2024. Opposition parties are demanding that the Sheikh Hasina government resign and install a neutral government to oversee the election, which the government has ruled out.
Riaz is also quoted by the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) in a report on Bangladesh’s political situation and the upcoming election.
“Considering that the chasm between the opposition and the government has grown so much, and increasing violence is going to destabilize the situation and disrupt the already fragile economy, the international community should take a proactive role,” Riaz told the DW.
Regarding the upcoming election, Riaz said, “The main obstacle to holding a free, fair, and inclusive election is the absence of a provision to have a neutral government during the election time; until a way is found to address this issue, I don’t think a fair election is possible.”
