Kathmandu: NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN), an umbrella organization of NGOs working in various fields of social welfare and development, has condemned the brutal crackdown against protestors in Bangladesh in response to the unrest followed by the anti-quota protests, which began more than a month ago.
The unrest has resulted in the deaths of over 200 people, including children, and the arrest of approximately 2,500 individuals by security forces. In addition to these severe actions, a nationwide internet blackout was also imposed, and journalists were targeted, which is a severe attack on press freedom and the principles of democracy, reads a statement jointly issued by Ram Prasad Subedi, president and Arjun Bhattarai, general secretary of the federation.
It is now known that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country. The Bangladesh army chief has announced that an interim government is being initiated. We believe that justice will be delivered to the people, the statement further states.
“NGO Federation of Nepal deeply condemns the actions by the then Hasina government, which violated fundamental principles of human rights essential for a democratic society, including freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly.”
In light of these events, the NFN echoes the urgent calls from United Nations experts, including Human Rights Chief Volker Turk and Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, for an impartial, independent, and transparent investigation into the alleged human rights violations during the crackdown on protests, adds the statement.
NFN calls for the formation of a national consensus government or an initiation of democratic process for handover of authority.
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