The Bangladesh Awami League has announced a three-day, 72-hour nationwide programme of public outreach and protests from November 14 to 16, calling for the implementation of its eight-point demands.
The programme will include leaflet distribution and public outreach on the first day, protest rallies on the second, and the submission of memorandums to government offices, foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations on the final day.
The announcement was made in a press release issued by the party on Tuesday, November 10.
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In the statement, the Awami League accused the incumbent government of bringing the country to the brink of destruction through what it described as unconstitutional means. The party also claimed that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, whom it referred to as the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, would return to Bangladesh in December.
The party said her reported decision to return had given hope to people amid what it described as a severe national crisis.
According to the announced schedule, party leaders and activists will distribute leaflets outlining the eight-point demands, conduct wall writings, carry out publicity campaigns and engage in public outreach across the country on November 14.
On November 15, the party plans to organise nationwide protests and rallies in support of the demands.
On November 16, memorandums outlining the demands are scheduled to be submitted to all deputy commissioners’ offices across the country, as well as foreign embassies and offices of international organisations in Dhaka.
The party’s overseas units are also expected to submit memorandums to Bangladesh’s embassies, high commissions and consulates abroad, as well as the headquarters of international organisations.
The Awami League has instructed all its domestic and overseas units, along with affiliated and associated organisations, to take steps to ensure the programme’s success. It also called on the public to unite in a mass movement to secure the implementation of its demands.
What are the eight demands?
The party’s eight-point demands include the withdrawal of cases filed against Sheikh Hasina and the cancellation of what it described as politically motivated judicial verdicts against her and other party leaders.
It has also called for the withdrawal of restrictions imposed on the Awami League and its affiliated and associated organisations, the release of political detainees, an end to what it described as the misuse of criminal cases, and the withdrawal of allegedly false cases.
Other demands include reducing the prices of electricity, fuel, gas, water and fertiliser, ensuring adequate supplies of essential commodities and bringing down the prices of daily necessities.
The party has called for reopening closed industrial establishments and creating employment opportunities for unemployed workers to revive economic activity.
Its demands also include ending murder, rape, extortion, looting and illegal occupation; ensuring the safety of women and children; and protecting religious minorities, indigenous communities and other vulnerable groups.
The Awami League has further demanded the withdrawal of what it described as false cases against military and civilian officials and journalists, the release of those detained, and guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, expression and the media.
The final demand calls for an end to alleged support for militancy and the immediate arrest of militants and terrorists released from prison.
The press release concluded with the party’s slogan, “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”, and a call for unity to save the country and its people.
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