Over 10,500 opposition activists arrested ahead of Bangladesh polls

AFP Dhaka, Bangladesh Dec 25, 2018, 05.56 PM(IST)

Supporters of the ruling party Bangladesh Awami League join in a campaign ahead of the 11th general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (File photo) Photograph:( Reuters )

Story highlights

Opposition parties said the arrests since the election was called on November 8 were intended to create a 'climate of fear'.


The figures were released after the United States urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term.

Opposition parties said the arrests since the election was called on November 8 were intended to create a "climate of fear".



"Every day 80 to 90 of our activists have been arrested nationwide. These arrests have created a climate of fear," Jamaat secretary general Shafiqur Rahman told AFP.

Police spokesman Sohel Rana did not confirm any figure for arrests but said they did not make "unnecessary arrests" without warrants.

"We never target any individual unless they break the law. These people have specific warrants against them," he told AFP.

Candidate attacks 

Rizvi Ahmed, a BNP spokesman, said the charges laid against party activists were "fictitious" and "ghost" cases" aiming for "a lopsided election" in favour of Hasina.

Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election.





Police spokesman Rana denied police had attacked any opposition activists, acknowledging only that "isolated incidents" were possible.

"If we receive any clear and evident allegation against any police member, we will surely take stern action," Rana said.


Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law.

The US State Department also raised concerns about Sunday's vote after it cancelled a planned observer mission by the Asian Network for Free Elections, which is funded by the US government because Bangladesh held up visas and credentials.

State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said democratic elections must have "space for peaceful expression and assembly, for independent media to do its job covering electoral developments, for participants to have access to information and for all individuals to be able to partake in the electoral process without harassment, intimidation or violence."

"We encourage the government of Bangladesh to uphold its commitment to a democratic process by ensuring all Bangladeshis are free to peacefully express themselves and participate," he added in a statement.