In response to escalating unrest in Bangladesh following the departure of long-serving leader Sheikh Hasina, global powers have called for calm. The United States has praised the military for establishing an interim government rather than intensifying its crackdown on demonstrators.
Sheikh Hasina, who maintained strong ties with India and had a generally cooperative relationship with the West during her 15-year tenure, faced increasing criticism for her authoritarian approach. Her administration was marked by a crackdown on dissent and was met with widespread protests against job quotas, leading to significant violence over recent weeks.
The State Department has urged all parties in Bangladesh to “refrain from further violence,” as hospitals reported numerous casualties and looting spread through the capital, Dhaka. “Too many lives have been lost over the past several weeks, and we urge calm and restraint moving forward,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Reports indicate that the Bangladeshi military resisted pressure to further suppress student-led protests, a move Miller described as potentially positive. “We welcome the formation of an interim government and urge that the transition be conducted in accordance with Bangladesh’s laws,” he added.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a “peaceful, orderly, and democratic transition” and a “full, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into all acts of violence,” according to his spokesman, Farhan Haq. Britain has backed a UN-led investigation into recent events, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy stating that “the people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation.”
The European Union has echoed calls for “calm and restraint,” emphasizing the need for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government while respecting human rights and democratic principles, as stated by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
India, which had been a significant ally of Hasina, has issued a travel advisory for its nationals and reported that Hasina has flown to a military airbase near New Delhi. It remains unclear if she will be allowed to transit to London.
During her tenure, Hasina had a productive relationship with Western powers, receiving praise for economic achievements and collaboration on countering extremism and aiding Rohingya refugees. However, her recent autocratic measures led to visa sanctions from the United States and criticism over democratic concerns. The US has contributed $2 billion in refugee aid and emphasizes the importance of Bangladesh’s continued support for refugees.
