Bangladesh: Opposition protests March 18-19 /update 11

Event

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country’s main opposition party, is planning to stage nationwide protests and marches on Sunday, March 18, in protest of the recent death of an activist from the BNP’s youth wing, Chhatra Dal. BNP leaders claim the activist - declared dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on March 12 - was tortured to death by police. The BNP plans to hold demonstrations in all upazila (sub-districts) of the country, including a march in the capital Dhaka.

Additional protests organized by the BNP will be held in Dhaka on Monday, March 19, to demand the release from prison of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The rally is expected to take place at the Suhrawardy Udyan memorial.

A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are expected near all protest sites.

Context

Zakir Hossain Milon, the Chhatra Dal activist, was arrested on March 6 after participating in a BNP human chain demonstration in front of the National Press Club. Milon was sent to jail on March 11 and declared dead the next day.

Khaleda Zia, the former Bangladeshi prime minister and current chairperson of the BNP, was convicted of corruption at a special court in Dhaka on February 8, and sentenced to five years in jail. Multiple BNP-led demonstrations have erupted across the country in recent weeks demanding Zia's release as well as free and fair elections.

Zia has often said political vendettas under the current government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have motivated the case against her, as well as cases against her sons. She could be barred from participating in the general elections slated for December 2018 if her ongoing appeal is unsuccessful or if she remains held on additional charges.

Advice

Individuals present in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka, are advised to monitor the situation, exercise caution, and avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings due to the possibility of violence.