Today's news: at least 32 killed in student protest in Bangladesh, state TV set on fire; Police investigate cyanide used in the murder-suicide of six Vietnamese men in a Bangkok hotel; Consensus reached between Tokyo and Pacific Island leaders on releasing Fukushima waters into the ocean; Monsoons in Nepal caused 125 deaths in little over a month.
Demonstrations over the controversial quota system have mobilised thousands of young people, angered also by the prime minister who referred to them as “razakar", i.e. Bangladeshis who collaborated with Pakistan in 1971. Six people die in violent clashes with police and the Awami League’s student wing. Christian leaders back quotas to protect the most marginalised, but acknowledge they can be reformed.
Tens of thousands of young people have been on the streets for five days in the capital and across the country. They are demanding reform of the system that favours relatives of independence fighters. Amnesty's concern over police violence. Nil coordinator Nahid Islam: "We call for emergency session of Parliament".
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council today released its annual report on the persecution of ethnic-religious minorities in the country. About 1,045 incidents of violence were recorded in the past year, with 45 deaths. For lawyer Rana Dasgupta, “The environment for free religious practice has been completely narrowed.”
On the journey towards the October Assembly, the dioceses of Bangladesh held a seminar with the undersecretary of the Vatican department Sr. Nathalie Becquart. Participants: 'A revival for the Catholic Church in the country'. Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze: "The laity want to participate in decisions and expect to see their dignity more recognised".
In the attack against the Holey Artisan Bakery, 22 people were killed. Since the authorities carried out massive arrests, no more massacres of this magnitude have occurred. However, jihadi groups are reorganising. The leader of the JMB is operating out of Turkey via the web, especially targeting youth.
