Attack and assault of Teachers and Students protesting for Quota Reform Movement at the Dhaka University Campus: Ain o Salish (ASK) condemns the attack and expresses concern
An attack has been carried out on a teacher-student demonstration, where they were protesting against an earlier attack that took place in the Dhaka University Central Shaheed Minar area on the quota reform movement protesters, and demanding immediate release of the arrested students. During the attack, two university teachers were assaulted. Moreover, allegations have been there that a number of female students were also physically assaulted. According to reports published in different media, the attackers are allegedly marked as Chhatra League activists of various universities. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) strongly protests and condemns such an attack.
According to media reports, on 15 July 2018, some teachers and students had organized a demonstration at the Central Shaheed Minar demanding the immediate release of the detained student protesters within 24 hours, the arrest of the attackers in the campus premises, and a safe and danger-free campus. While they were returning after completing a human-chain programme, the general students and teachers were assaulted. During this time, a number of female students were also physically assaulted. The attackers harassed the teachers and dispersed the demonstrators. Moreover, the attackers also tried to take away cameras from the journalists present at that time. ASK expresses grave concern and condemns such incidence and strongly demands prompt identification of those involved and ensure appropriate punishment for the perpetrators.
Right to freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly and processions are the constitutional and democratic rights of every citizen. ASK is of the opinion that this kind of attack and detention contributes in shrinking the space for exercising human rights by citizens. From media sources, we have been observing various reckless behaviours of Chhatra League at different times, which are completely unacceptable and condemnable. We are witnessing news reports from mass media regarding attacks by Chhatra League on students demonstrating for quota reform. There have been many allegations that female students who were involved with the movement were physically assaulted and were also sexually abused in social media. The latest addition has been the attack on university teachers. ASK strongly demands legal action to be taken against those involved in these attacks.