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Is Bangladesh’s upcoming election threatened by opposition crackdown?
As Bangladesh prepares for upcoming general election on January 7, the opposition leader Abdul Moyeen Khan and his party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are facing issues as the government takes steps to stop them.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan gestures during an interview with Reuters at his residence in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 18, 2023. REUTERS/Sam Jahan/File photo
Abdul Moyeen Khan, who used to be a minister, had to hide before nomination closed seeking safety as he assumes that the government is going after those in the opposition.
The Arguments
The elections got more political when BNP decided not to participate. They were unhappy with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s decision to avoid establishing a temporary government for managing the votes.
The government, headed by Hasina’s group called Awami League, blames the BNP for trying to mess up the voting. The fight against opposition members got stronger, which led to arrests and 10 million party workers being on the run.
Protection groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch expressed concerns about the government’s actions suggesting that it might be trying to suppress the voices of those in opposition.
According to reports accumulated in November by HRM, 10,000 BNP activists were arrested with instances of violence causing injuries and fatalities.
The Facts
Opposition leader Abdul Moyeen Khan concealed himself in various locations to avoid government crackdown before the nomination period ended.
The BNP opted not to participate in the elections due to the government’s rejection of their demand for a temporary government.
Reports indicate that thousands (10,000) of individuals opposing the government were apprehended by the police, causing widespread fear and discomfort among those affected.
Conditions for opposition leaders, including arrests and nighttime raids, are described as worse compared to the 2018 elections.
The government, under Prime Minister Hasina’s leadership, contends that they are solely targeting individuals engaged in violent activities and not the entire opposition group.
