Shoot Them: Bangladesh Protests – 2024 Firing Order
Bangladesh PM Under fire as Secret Recordings Expose Alleged Cover-Up of student Protester’s Death
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Dhaka, Bangladesh – Secret recordings of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her allies, allegedly detailing attempts to manipulate the investigation into the death of a student protester, have sent shockwaves through Bangladesh, igniting further public anger and casting a shadow over the ruling Awami League party. The revelations, obtained by Al Jazeera, have intensified calls for accountability amidst widespread student-led demonstrations that have gripped the nation.
Unveiling the Recordings: A Prime Minister’s Knowledge of Surveillance
The controversy centers on recordings that appear to capture Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina acknowledging that her communications were being monitored. Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor for the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), stated that the former prime minister was aware of the recordings.
“in some cases, the other side [would say we] … ‘should not discuss this over telephone’,” Islam recounted.”And the reply was from the prime minister, ‘Yes, I know, I know, I know, I know, it is indeed being recorded, no problem.'”
Islam’s stark assessment of the situation was, “she has dug a very deep ditch for others. Now she’s in the ditch.”
The Spark: Quota System Protests Ignite National Outcry
The current wave of unrest began peacefully in June 2024, triggered by a high court decision to reinstate an unpopular quota system. This system reserves state jobs for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. Many students perceived the system as favouring supporters of the ruling Awami League, the party that led the freedom movement, and believed it undermined merit-based appointments in the civil service.
A Turning Point: The Death of Abu Sayed
the protests took a tragic turn on July 16, when student demonstrator Abu Sayed was shot and killed by police in the northern city of Rangpur. His death became a pivotal moment, sparking a national outcry and substantially escalating the July uprising.
Allegations of a Cover-Up: Manipulating Evidence and Silencing Families
The leaked recordings also implicate a close ally of Prime Minister Hasina, economics adviser Salman F Rahman, in alleged efforts to control the narrative surrounding Sayed’s death. In one recording, Rahman is heard pressing the inspector general of police, chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, for Sayed’s postmortem report.
“Why is it taking so long to get the postmortem report? Who’s playing hide and seek? Rangpur Medical?” Rahman is heard asking, referring to rangpur Medical College and hospital, where the autopsy was conducted.
Further compounding the allegations, Dr. Rajibul Islam of Rangpur Medical College Hospital told Al Jazeera that police had pressured him to alter Sayed’s postmortem report five times. The alterations, he claimed, were intended to remove any mention of multiple bullet wounds.
“They wanted to write a report stating that Abu Sayed Bhai died due to injuries from stone-throwing … [whereas] he died from police bullets,” Dr.Islam stated.
The Prime Minister’s Meeting: A Televised Gesture of Condolence
Twelve days after Sayed’s death, his family, along with approximately 40 other families who had lost relatives in the protests, were brought to Dhaka for a televised event at the Prime Minister’s residence, Ganabhaban.
Sayed’s father, Maqbul Hossain, described the experience as coercive. “Hasina forced us to come to Ganabhaban,” he said. “They forced us to come; or else, they might have tortured us in another way.”
During the event, Prime Minister hasina distributed money to each family. addressing Sayed’s sister, Sumi Khatun, she promised, “We will deliver justice to your family.” however, Khatun’s response indicated deep skepticism: “It was shown in the video that the police shot him. What is there to investigate here? coming here was a mistake.”
Awami League’s Response: Denials and Accusations of Tampering
In response to the allegations, an Awami League spokesperson issued a statement to Al Jazeera, denying that Prime Minister Hasina had ever used the phrase “lethal weapons” or specifically authorized security forces to use lethal force.
“This [Hasina’s phone] recording is either cherry-picked, doctored or both,” the spokesperson asserted. The statement also maintained that government efforts to investigate Abu