This appointment is the most recent in a series of new ones made to replace an old guard that the student-led rebellion was thought to have ties to the former regime.
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A Hindu community member from Bangladesh watches while carrying a poster denouncing violence against the nation's minorities on August 9, 2024, in Dhaka. A few days earlier, a student-led revolt had brought an end to Sheikh Hasina's 15-year administration. Following Hasina's overthrow, some Hindu-owned homes and businesses were attacked, and some in Bangladesh, a country with a majority of Muslims, believe that the organization was close to Hasina. (Image by AFP/LUIS TATO)(AFP) |
Following the abrupt fall of dictatorial leader Sheikh Hasina, violence against Hindus and other religious minorities has surfaced. On Sunday, Bangladesh's newly constituted interim administration announced that it is tackling this issue.
Hindus, who make up the majority of the minority population in the largely Muslim nation, have historically supported Hasina's Awami League party, according to AFP.
After her abrupt resignation and flight overseas on Monday, ending her 15-year dictatorial reign, there have been several reports of attacks on Hindu residences, temples, and commercial establishments.
The interim cabinet made its first formal statement since being appointed on Thursday, stating, "The attacks on religious minorities in some places have been noted with grave concern."
In order to find solutions to such horrific crimes, the cabinet declared that it would "immediately sit with the representative bodies and other concerned groups."
Several pressing concerns were outlined in a statement released on Sunday by the self-described "council of advisors" in charge of guiding democratic reforms in the 170 million-person South Asian country.
Under the direction of Nobel Peace winner Muhammad Yunus, the administration issued orders providing "support" to the families of protestors slain during the weeks-long protests that culminated in Hasina's resignation.
It instructed the use of public funds to cover the medical expenses of individuals hurt during the July-starting disturbance, which claimed over 450 lives.
The council also declared that it would name a new governor of the central bank to succeed Hasina loyalist who was forced to leave, and that it would reopen Dhaka's metro system by the end of the week.
Institutional cleaning
Following the departure of his predecessor, Obaidul Hassan, who came under fire for allegedly using the Supreme Court to further the agenda of the outgoing government, Syed Refaat Ahmed took office as chief justice earlier today. Following huge demonstrations calling for his resignation, Hassan left his position.
This modification is a part of a larger attempt to replace authorities connected to the overthrown regime, which was overthrown by an uprising spearheaded by students.
Ahmed replaces Hassan, who faced criticism for his involvement in a contentious war crimes court that resulted in the execution of Hasina's political rivals. Ahmed holds degrees from the University of Dhaka, Oxford, and Tufts University. Moreover, Hasina's longtime secretary was Hassan's brother.
On Monday, when demonstrators swarmed Dhaka's streets, Hasina, 76, fled by chopper to neighboring India, bringing an abrupt end to her strict rule.
During her 15-year leadership, her government was charged with massive violations of human rights, including the summary execution of thousands of her political opponents.
Her abrupt departure stunned cabinet colleagues, who fled the country, and several other high-ranking officials, including the head of the national police, were driven from office.
Yunus, the 84-year-old interim leader, arrived back in Europe on Thursday to take charge of a provisional government tasked with putting an end to chaos and implementing democratic reforms.
According to Yunus, the caretaker administration's "first priority" was restoring peace and order.
Yunus is recognized for having helped millions of Bangladeshis escape extreme poverty through his innovative work in microfinance, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
With the exception of one retired brigadier general, he joined the administration as "chief advisor" and stated that elections should take place "within a few months."
(With AFP contributions)
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