Bangladesh: Various political parties likely to stage nationwide rallies through at least late September /update 1

Event

Several political parties will likely stage nationwide rallies through at least late September to demand various political concessions and mobilize grassroots-level support ahead of the upcoming general election slated to occur sometime in January 2024.

As of Sept. 7, organizers have disclosed the following details:

Sept. 8

• Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat) party: In Dhaka, activists will hold multiple protest marches from various undisclosed locations.

Sept. 9

• Awami League (AL) party: AL supporters will rally outside the party headquarters in Dhaka along Bangabandhu Avenue; AL supporters will reportedly gather at 15:00.

• Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): The BNP will hold two marches in Dhaka. In Dhaka Metropolitan North, activists will march from Better Life Hospital to the BNP headquarters along VIP Road beginning at 14:30. In Dhaka Metropolitan South, demonstrators plan to march from the Kamlapur area to the BNP headquarters starting at 14:30. Members of the University Teachers' Association of Bangladesh (UTAB) will join the BNP-related events by gathering outside a stadium in the Kamalpur area at 13:00; the stadium is likely the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mustofa Kamal Stadium.

Sept. 10

• Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat) party: Activists will organize protest marches in major urban centers from undisclosed locations across Bangladesh.

Additionally, the BNP will commemorate the 45th founding anniversary of its organization and plans to hold various related gatherings nationwide through early September. Beginning the second week of September, BNP leaders will commence another protest campaign to demand the resignation of the current administration and the general election to be held under a neutral caretaker government. As a part of their action, BNP activists may escalate their campaign by staging sit-in protests and blockades near prominent government buildings in Dhaka, including the Bangladesh Secretariat, Election Commission, and Prime Minister's Office buildings.

Further gatherings of varying types and by other political groups are certain to occur over the coming days; as of Sept. 7, reports indicate around 36 political parties are holding various protest campaigns. Potential gathering sites include political party offices and police stations, as well as prominent government buildings, museums, public squares, sports grounds, mosques, press clubs, and thoroughfares. While participation will probably vary by locale and sponsoring political group, previous well-attended events have attracted tens of thousands of participants. Organizers could cancel or delay any planned actions at short notice due to organizational issues and/or law enforcement restrictions.

Authorities will almost certainly monitor any such rallies and may move to disperse overly disruptive crowds. Clashes between police and activists, as well as between members of rival political camps, cannot be ruled out. Officials may conduct mass arrests and/or resort to the use of force, including baton charges and tear gas, in response to any security incidents. Demonstrators could march along and/or block roadways, prompting localized transport disruptions. Associated localized business disruptions are possible.

Advice

Avoid all demonstrations due to the potential for violence. Depart the area at the first sign of any security disturbance. Allow additional travel time near gathering sites. Plan accordingly for possible localized business disruptions. Heed all official transport and security advisories.