Individuals rejoice the resignation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh August 5, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain | Picture credit score: MOHAMMAD PONIR HOSSAIN
The protests towards the now deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina – who has been in energy since 2009 in Bangladesh – calling for her resignation point out the extent of anger that has grown following a transparent erosion of civil liberties and rights in distinction to the outstanding progress achieved in a number of socio-economic parameters throughout her lengthy rule.
Ms Hasina resigned and fled the nation following renewed violence and clashes between authorities supporters and protesters (led by college students) opposing her authorities’s reservation coverage. Final month, college students had led protests towards quotas in authorities jobs benefiting relations of freedom fighters who took half within the Bangladesh Liberation Struggle. After 150 individuals have been killed in the course of the unrest, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court docket had scrapped a lot of the quotas in query, however protests resumed with requires Ms Hasina to resign over her regime’s extreme use of violence, closure of instructional establishments and crackdown on the web to suppress the student-led agitation.
Hasina’s resignation marks an abrupt downfall for a pacesetter whose regime, by resorting to measures to curtail civil liberties and opposition, contrasts sharply together with her financial insurance policies. Her authorities deserves credit score for a number of financial measures, together with strengthening the nation’s infrastructure by offering electrical energy to distant villages, constructing roads, railway traces and ports. Throughout her tenure, the textile business additionally flourished and textile exports elevated, outpacing the nation’s rivals.
Determine 1 Represents the GDP per capita (present US {dollars}) of assorted international locations through the years.
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The nation’s GDP per capita (present US {dollars}) surpassed that of India in 2023, as proven in Chart 1. The fast rise within the measure after 2003 is seen within the chart. Financial development additionally translated into higher outcomes on measures associated to training and well being. Particularly, extra ladies acquired training and extra girls entered the workforce. The nation’s Human Improvement Index (HDI), which measures a nation’s well being, information, and way of life, additionally surpassed that of India in 2020 and ranked simply behind that of Sri Lanka within the area.
Chart 2 reveals the HDI of assorted international locations through the years.
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Chart 3 reveals toddler mortality charges for numerous international locations through the years.
The nation’s toddler mortality fee additionally fell sharply from 151.4 in 1973 (behind India) to 24.1 in 2022 (forward of India).
In distinction to fast progress on socio-economic measures, the nation’s indicators measuring political rights, political pluralism, civil liberties, organizational rights, the rule of regulation and private autonomy have declined in recent times.
Chart 4 The report reveals how Bangladesh scores on these parameters over the previous decade, as ranked by Freedom Home, a nonprofit group identified for its advocacy work. In every class, the utmost rating is 4 and the minimal is 1, and even 0 in some circumstances, if no rights exist.
One of many principal accusations towards Hasina’s authorities has been that the election was neither free nor honest. The 76-year-old chief grew to become the world’s longest-serving feminine chief when she gained a fourth consecutive time period in workplace in January this yr, in an election that was boycotted by the principle opposition, which stated the election was neither free nor honest.
As Chart 4 Indicators measuring political rights and political pluralism, equivalent to “Was the pinnacle of presidency elected freely and pretty?”, “Are electoral legal guidelines enforced impartially?”, “Is there a proper to arrange political events?” and “Is there a chance for the opposition to realize energy via elections?”, have all seen a drastic decline over the previous decade.
The already poor press freedom index suffered an additional decline within the second half of 2010. The truth that protesters lately confronted extreme violence isn’t a surprise, on condition that the nation’s rating for “freedom of meeting” additionally fell. Scores additionally confirmed that folks have been afraid to precise their opinions on delicate points, whereas the independence of the judiciary was undermined. Certainly, Hasina’s authorities in Bangladesh can solely be described as schizoid.
vignesh.r@thehindu.co.in
With contributions from AP and Reuters
Supply: World Financial institution, Human Improvement Studies, Freedom Home
Learn additionally: On the scholar protests in Bangladesh | Defined