Indonesia's Foreign Ministry Says Citizens Residing in Bangladesh Safe Amid Student Protests
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19 July 2024 22:14 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh during the wave of student protests against the quota system for government jobs recruitment. The demonstrations have affected access to public transport and resulted in several casualties.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka has established contact with Indonesian citizens in Bangladesh. They are safe and secure thus far,” the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Friday, July 19, 2024.
The Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka has also issued a warning for the Indonesian community in Bangladesh to remain vigilant, avoid crowds, and obey the directions from local authorities. They are also urged to contact the hotline for the Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka in case of emergency at +880 1614 444552.
The Embassy's self-report data recorded as many as 563 Indonesian citizens currently residing in Bangladesh. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka will continue to monitor the situation and take the necessary steps to protect Indonesian citizens in the country.
Thousands of student protesters carrying sticks and rocks clashed with armed police in Dhaka on Thursday, July 18. Authorities have cut internet connections to quell the demonstration that has killed at least 10 people this week.
The nationwide protests are the biggest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected for the fourth time. The series of demonstrations were fuelled by the high unemployment rate in Bangladeshi youths. Nearly a fifth of the 170 million residents are out of work or education.
The Daily Star newspaper reported that four people were killed in clashes with police in Dhaka on Thursday with hundreds more injured, citing the city hospital superintendent Mizanur Rahman.
Bangladesh Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government is open to dialogue with the protestors, who demanded the state stop setting aside 30 percent of government jobs for the descendants of families who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
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