We are troubled by recent news reports that Bangladeshi students concerned with the road safety standards in their country have been met with violent responses from the Bangladeshi government.
According to multiple news sources, the students were frustrated by the many road accidents in Bangladesh and specifically, the recent death of two young persons by a speeding bus. In addition to being attacked by tear gas and rubber bullets, some students and journalists have reported serious physical attacks and sexual violence.
Here are some news articles that have reported on the issue:
– The Straits Times, Singapore: https://www.straitstimes.com/…/bangladesh-pm-urges-youth-pr…
– The New York Times, USA: https://www.nytimes.com/…/…/bangladesh-student-protests.html
– The Guardian, UK:
https://www.theguardian.com/…/teenagers-bring-parts-of-bang…
– Time Magazine, USA:
http://time.com/53…/bangladesh-student-protests-road-safety/
If you are concerned by the violent response to the protest, one way that you can help is by writing to our Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Vivian Balakrishnan and the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the Republic of Singapore Mr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman to call for an end to the violence. Some of our members have crafted a template which you can use to send to them:
1. Letter Template to Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Vivian Balakrishnan: https://.tinyurl.com/CAPEBangladeshMFALetter
2. Letter Template to the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the Republic of Singapore Mr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman:
https://tinyurl.com/CAPEBangladeshHCLetter