UN calls for restraint and dialogue in Bangladesh in the face of violence arising from student protests

The demonstrations of young people who protest against the lack of jobs for recent graduates continue in Bangladesh with violent clashes between students and Bengali authorities.

The protests, which began two weeks ago, have led some dissatisfied students to clash with their pro-government counterparts and police in the capital, Dhaka, and other cities, leaving nearly two dozen dead, according to unofficial reports.

Students are protesting against quotas reserving one-third of public jobs for children of veterans of Pakistan’s 1971 war of independence, which They were abolished in 2018, but were reinstated earlier this month..

UN spokesman Stephan Dujarric said on Thursday that the UN is closely following developments in Bangladesh.

Violence is never the answer

“We continue to call on both sides to exercise restraint. We urge the Government to ensure an enabling environment for dialogueand we urge the protesters to engage in dialogue to overcome the impasse,” he said at his daily meeting with the press.

Violence is never the answerthe spokesman stressed.

“He General secretaryAntonio Guterrescalls for substantive participation and constructive youth for the construction of a better world,” he said.

Dujarric also urged the Bengali authorities to work with young people in order to find solutions to current challenges and harness your energy and vitality to drive development from the country.

Closed universities

The Bengali government closed all public and private universities after protests became lethal last TuesdayAccording to press reports, the death toll has risen to 19, with dozens more injured.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also urged authorities to engage in dialogue with students demanding an end to the quota system for public employment.

Türk stated on social media that all acts of violence and use of force, especially those that cause death, They must be investigated and their perpetrators held accountable..

“Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are human rights fundamental,” he added.