2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests

2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests
Students blocking a road in Uttara, Dhaka,
2 August 2018
Date29 July 2018 – 10 August 2018 
Location
Bangladesh
Caused byTwo college students killed by negligent driver
GoalsEnsurement of safe roads, formulation and implementation of road-safety laws, and punishment of drivers violating traffic laws
MethodsProcessions, road blockade, sit-ins, human chains, checking driving licence, controlling traffic on the road etc.
Resulted inFormulation of a new road safety law by the government, announcement of traffic week, change in driver recruitment and payment schemes
Parties
Students of different educational institutions in Bangladesh, journalists
Casualties
Injuries150[1]

A series of public protests in Bangladesh advocating improved road safety were held from 29 July to 10 August 2018.[1] They were sparked by the deaths of two high-school students in Dhaka struck by a bus operated by an unlicensed driver who was racing to collect passengers. The incident impelled students to demand safer roads and stricter traffic laws, and the demonstrations rapidly spread throughout Bangladesh.[2][3]

The protests were peaceful until 2 August, when police attempted to disperse the demonstrators with tear gas and people believed to be members of a pro-government youth league attacked protesters and journalists.[4][5] The government arrested several protesters and a photographer for giving an interview about the protests to international media.[6][7] Various international organisations and high-profile figures expressed solidarity with the protesters.[8][9][10] The crack-down on the student protesters received high criticism both domestically and internationally.[11][12][13]

The third Hasina ministry approved on 6 August, a draft traffic act stipulating capital punishment for intentional killing and a maximum five-year prison sentence for accidental killing with a motor vehicle.[14] The protesters felt that the maximum five-year sentence was too light for accidental deaths due to reckless driving.[15] By 10 August, the situation in the city had returned to normal, most students had returned to their classes and traffic had resumed as normal, with many sources stating that the protests were finally over.[16][17][18][19]

  1. ^ a b "Students end protests on road safety in Bangladesh after nine days; education ministry to hold meet tomorrow". Firstpost. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Scores injured in traffic protests in Bangladesh capital". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Protesting Teens Bring Bangladesh's Capital to a Standstill". Time. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference ap5Aug2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Dhaka streets appear deserted". Dhaka Tribune. 5 August 2018.
  6. ^ "11 arrested, 27 cases over violence during student protests". bdnews24.com. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference dw6Aug2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference :14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Celebrities join students for the protests". The Daily Star. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference ds8Aug2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "How dare you hit my child!". The Daily Star. 6 August 2018.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference aj7Aug2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ "Cabinet approves Road Transport Act". Dhaka Tribune. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Causing Death by Rash Driving: Maximum 5 years' jail". The Daily Star. 7 August 2018.
  16. ^ Hasnat, Mahadi Al (6 August 2018). "Students' protest in Bangladesh nears end after series of violent events sees several journalists injured". Firstpost. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Dhaka traffic chaos returns as campaign for safe roads peters out". bdnews24.com. 10 August 2018.
  18. ^ "Bangladesh: Students Started an Enduring Movement Even as Street Protests End". 10 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Midday Brief, Thursday, August 9, 2018". The Daily Star. 9 August 2018.