“We need to put pressure on the autocratic dictatorial government of Bangladesh to take some accountability and responsibility,” second-year PhD student at the UMCG and Bangladesh national Sajid Anwar told The Northern Times.
Over 300 people have been killed in Bangladesh during anti-government protests that began over a controversial quota system for government jobs. The protests are being led by students who have managed to force their Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, to resign. Hasina has since fled the country.
“Before the internet broke down on the 19th of July I used to call my parents daily, but since the government shut down the internet, people like me who live abroad have no contact with their family or friends,” Anwar told The Northern Times in an interview.
Anwar says he tries to keep in contact with relatives, but it’s been difficult, often with poor connections. Thankfully, Anwar says that on the 23rd of July, the internet was somewhat restored allowing him to finally be able to reach friends and family.
“Now we’re also getting the horrific news and how the people are tortured,” he said.
Anwar has learnt a person he went to school with was murdered a few weeks ago. He was just 18 years old. Anwar also said that the official report of the incident said 160 unarmed people were killed, but he believes the actual number is much higher.
“Some unofficial reports say it’s reaching almost a thousand,” he said. As far as he knows, his immediate family members are safe.
“I couldn’t reach many people, especially my close friends, due to the blackout. I do know my father’s business was affected badly,” he said.
Anwar says the situation affects him greatly.
“I’m mentally distressed. My research is greatly impacted and I find it very hard to concentrate on anything,” he said. His friends here feel the same way and they try talking about the situation to cope. But the pain of seeing their country burn stays.
“It gives a sense of helplessness. We are grieving basically,” he said.
Despite being far away and not able to physically help, Anwar is doing the best he can to raise awareness in the international community in Groningen about the situation. He says pressure must be put on Bangladesh’s government to shoulder responsibility for what happened.
Anwar wants to raise awareness not only in Groningen but in the whole of the Netherlands.
“Bangladesh and the Netherlands have good diplomatic economic ties. The Dutch government can leverage this relationship to pressure Bangladesh to ensure justice for those who are killed and tortured,” Anwar said.
He thinks that if people in Groningen and across the Netherlands can amplify their voices and advocate for peace in Bangladesh, that could also put pressure on the government to step down.
“The people who were killed and tortured must receive justice,” Anwar said.
