Bangladesh in International Media: August 14, 2024

August 14’s international media coverage highlights significant developments in Bangladesh.

Students who led the protests against Sheikh Hasina are now managing key roles in Dhaka, while a court has initiated a murder investigation into Hasina’s role in recent unrest.

Former Prime Minister Hasina, now in exile, demands an inquiry into the violence, as the interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus works to stabilize the country and address human rights concerns.

Meanwhile, logistical disruptions from the protests are being slowly resolved, and National Mourning Day to honor Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be observed on August 15 without national holiday.

Below are some of the key international coverage highlights on Bangladesh.

Associated Press (AP)

Students who ousted Hasina are helping lead Bangladesh, from the streets to the ministries

Synopsis: In Bangladesh, students who led the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving prime minister, are now managing Dhaka’s traffic and running the interim government. Wearing neon vests and wielding sticks, they address traffic violations and inspect vehicles. As they transition into leadership roles, there’s optimism for reform and democratic restoration, but concerns about their lack of experience and the pace of election preparations remain.

The Dawn/AFP

Bangladesh court opens murder case against ex-premier Sheikh Hasina

Synopsis: Bangladesh’s court has launched a murder investigation into ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and six officials over a deadly protest crackdown. Hasina, who resigned and fled to India, is calling for an inquiry into the protests that led to her removal. The U.S. denied any involvement in her ouster, labeling her previous claims as false. The interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, vows to address human rights and organize elections soon, but has no plans to ban Hasina’s Awami League.

BBC

Bangladesh‍‍`s ex-PM investigated for murder

Synopsis: A murder investigation has been initiated against Bangladesh‍‍`s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and six former officials over the police killing of a man during recent civil unrest. This follows weeks of violent protests, which led to Hasina’s resignation and flight to India. In her first statement since leaving, Hasina has demanded an investigation into the protests. The new government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to address human rights abuses and is preparing for upcoming elections.

Bloomberg

A New Bangladesh, an Ousted PM in Exile and a Nobel-Winning Leader

Synopsis: Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled Bangladesh amid violent protests and a crackdown that killed hundreds. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has assumed leadership of the interim government, stepping into the power vacuum. Yunus faces the dual challenge of stabilizing the country and organizing elections. The protests, initially over job quotas, expanded into a broader revolt against Hasina‍‍`s rule.

Aljazeera

Ex-Bangladesh PM Hasina demands probe into protest ‘killings and vandalism’

Synopsis: Sheikh Hasina, recently ousted and in exile, has demanded an investigation into the July protests in Bangladesh, which resulted in over 300 deaths. Her call for accountability came as a court ordered a probe into her role in a fatal shooting during the unrest. The caretaker government has canceled observance of the National Day of Mourning, a holiday marking her father‍‍`s assassination. Hasina plans to return to Bangladesh when elections are scheduled.

The Wall Street Journal

Bangladesh’s Exporting Networks Are Slowly Returning to Normal

Synopsis: Shipping and logistics services in Bangladesh are gradually recovering from disruptions caused by recent political unrest. The main port faces container backlogs, vessels are delayed, and airfreight shipments are postponed by several days, as reported by Everstream Analytics.

The Wire

Bangladesh: ‍‍`Md Yunus and Students Call the Shots Now, Not Army; Attacks on Hindus Mostly Ended‍‍`

Synopsis: In a recent interview, Mahfuz Anam, Publisher and Editor of The Daily Star, clarified that the Bangladesh army, led by Army Chief Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, is not in control. Instead, Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, and the student leaders who drove Sheikh Hasina from power hold significant influence. Anam also reported a decrease in attacks on minorities, noting they have almost ceased. Regarding India, Anam stated that despite concerns about the relationship, Yunus, as Chief Adviser, is unlikely to let these affect his stance. Anam‍‍`s insights offer a deep dive into the current political landscape in Bangladesh.

CNN

Bangladesh court orders murder probe into ousted former leader Sheikh Hasina

Synopsis: A Bangladesh court has ordered an investigation into former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s role in the police killing of a grocery store owner during recent protests. The protests, sparked by job quota disputes, led to Hasina’s ouster and flight to India. She has called for an investigation into the broader violence, while Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus now heads the interim government.

The Hindu

Sheikh Hasina calls upon supporters to pray at Bangabandhu Bhavan on August 15

Synopsis: In her first statement since fleeing Bangladesh, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the country to observe August 15 as the National Day of Mourning, marking the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and 15 family members. She condemned recent violence and vandalism, particularly the burning of her father’s residence, and called for prayer meetings at Bangabandhu Bhavan in Dhaka.

Times of India

Synopsis: August 15 to be National Mourning Day: Bangladesh govt

The caretaker government of Bangladesh announced that August 15 will be observed as National Mourning Day, not as a national holiday. This change, unanimously decided after discussions with advisers and political parties, commemorates the assassination of the nation‍‍`s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The decision was confirmed by a statement from Muhammad Yunus‍‍`s office.

Man who filed murder case against Sheikh Hasina receives death threat

Synopsis: The man who recently filed a murder case against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a death threat over the phone, Dhaka Tribune reported. The threat, made from a French phone number, came shortly after the case was filed, which concerns the police shooting death of grocery store owner Abu Sayed in Dhaka‍‍`s Mohammadpur on July 19.

Bangladesh arrests Hasina adviser & ex-law minister

Synopsis: Bangladesh police have arrested former PM Sheikh Hasina‍‍`s adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman and ex-law minister Anisul Huq, marking a significant crackdown on Awami League members. Charged in connection with the deaths during July 16 protests, their arrests follow Hasina‍‍`s ouster and the establishment of a caretaker government.

WION

US rejects claims of involvement in Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina‍‍`s resignation

Synopsis: During a press briefing, US State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel firmly dismissed the allegation that the United States was involved in Sheikh Hasina‍‍`s resignation, calling the implication "laughable" and asserting that such claims were completely false.