Two U.S. Senators called on Bangladeshi authorities to urgently initiate an independent and impartial investigation into human rights violations committed by security services on Wednesday.
Senator Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Cory Booker also urged the Bangladeshi government to respect protesters` rights and engage sincerely with their demands.
In their statement, they condemned the use of force and violence by Bangladeshi security forces against student protesters. They specifically mentioned the involvement of a paramilitary unit, whose leaders are under U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses.
The senators highlighted that recent protests, driven by demands for economic opportunity and an end to the government’s inequitable quota system for public sector jobs, have been met with excessive force. This includes actions by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries and arrests.
The statement emphasized that the right to peacefully assemble and protest is a cornerstone of democracy.
"The United States stands with these brave individuals advocating for their rights and a better future," the senators declared. "We will continue to champion human rights in Bangladesh and seek accountability for those responsible for these abuses."
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