Transparency International Bangladesh released a statement on Friday condemning the forced withdrawal of the quota reform movement by six coordinators through a video message recorded under police custody, calling it unconstitutional.
The organisation described the release of the video as a flagrant act of deception and criticised the government, ruling party, state-run institutions, and the detective branch of police for using such tactics to justify human rights violations, including large-scale killings, detentions, and other unjust actions.
It was unethical and criminal to coerce the coordinators into reading a statement on video to call off protests while being detained at the detective branch headquarters under the guise of 鈥榩roviding safety鈥�.
TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman noted that the coordinators were under pressure and faced harassment while in custody.
He accused the authorities of professional misconduct, lying to the public, and attempting to mislead them, adding that there was no legal basis for 鈥榓bduction or detention for safety鈥�.
The anti-corruption watchdog emphasised that detaining students for their role in a non-political and peaceful movement for legitimate rights violated article 33 of the constitution. Similarly, coercing the coordinators to call off protests by reading a statement violated article 35(4).
The organisation suggested that these unconstitutional measures were likely intended to suppress dissent and cover up the excessive use of force during the protests.
Citing media reports, it noted that over 200 cases had been indiscriminately filed in Dhaka alone against more than 2,13,000 people with various police stations.
Iftekharuzzaman highlighted ongoing human rights violations, including mass arrests and harassment.
He reported that students, professionals, and ordinary citizens were being arrested arbitrarily, with even juveniles aged 13 to 17 being detained alongside those not involved in the violence.
The organisation also condemned these actions as clear violations of citizens鈥� rights enshrined in the constitution.
It pointed to allegations of inhumane torture following abductions or arrests, despite clear directions from the High Court, calling it a blatant violation of human rights.
