25 Apr 2018 | 09:32 PM UTC
Bangladesh: Opposition party announces demonstrations April 26-May 1 /update 16
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announces series of nationwide protests April 26-29 and International Workers’ Day rally May 1
Event
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a new series of protests that will take place in the coming days. Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP, is planning to hold demonstrations on Thursday, April 26. Nationwide protests are also scheduled for Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29. On Tuesday, May 1, the labor wing of the BNP will hold a rally in Dhaka to mark International Workers’ Day. The May 1 event - expected to be held at the Suhrawardy Udyan - has not received official authorization, but is expected to go ahead even without approval.
Context
The BNP has been organizing regular demonstrations to demand that former Prime Minister and current chairperson of the BNP Khaleda Zia be released from prison. Khaleda Zia 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.
