Resignations of Bangladeshi officials close to Hasina are legal, interim leader Yunus says

KRUTIKA PATHI
 Mon, August 12, 2024 


Bangladesh Daily Life
A police officer regulates a busy traffic intersection in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.

 (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — The head of Bangladesh's interim government, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, says the high-profile resignations of authorities close to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are legal after student leaders who organized protests against Hasina’s government issued ultimatums for them to quit.

“Legally ... all the steps were taken,” Yunus, 83, told a group of journalists Sunday night.

The country’s chief justice, five justices and central bank governor have all resigned in the past few days, part of a dramatic transformation after weeks of protests against a quota system for government jobs turned into a mass uprising. Hasina resigned and fled to India last week.

Yunus said a key priority of the interim government is to restore the independence of the judiciary. He called former chief justice Obaidul Hassan "just a hangman.”

Syed Refaat Ahmed was appointed the new chief justice on Sunday after his name was proposed by student leaders of the protests.

Students vow to cleanse the political system of Hasina's rule, which they have denounced as autocratic. More than 300 people, including students and police officers, were killed in the weeks of violence.

Yunus took over on Thursday after student leaders reached out. He said the students told him he was the only one they could trust.

He said he accepted "because these are the guys who broke the local government," describing it as a “student-led revolution."

“It's not my dream, it's their dream. So I'm kind of helping them to make it come true," Yunus said.

The interim government is expected to announce a new election, but it is not clear when it will be held.

Yunus had been a longtime critic of Hasina and her government. An economist and banker by profession and known as the “banker to the poorest of the poor,” he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for pioneering the use of microcredit to help impoverished people, particularly women.

Yunus ran into trouble with Hasina in 2008, when her administration launched a series of investigations into him and his Grameen Bank. He was put on trial in 2013 on charges of receiving money without government permission, including his Nobel Prize and royalties from a book.

Yunus has denied the allegations, and his supporters say he was targeted because of his frosty relations with Hasina.

Will India and Sri Lanka Benefit From Unrest in Bangladesh?

Mayu Saini
Mon, August 12, 2024 


It’s only been a week since former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, escaped Dhaka in a helicopter as protests and violence broke out across the country.

Throughout this time, private conversations among manufacturers in Bangladesh and other sourcing nations have been focused on the future of business.

“Earlier there was China-plus-one after the pandemic, but now in addition to that there may well be a Bangladesh-plus-one situation,” a manufacturer in Dhaka told Sourcing Journal on condition of anonymity.

He cited the fact that there was a degree of uncertainty about the way the government would be positioned; the level of religious fervor and economic incentives are yet unknown. Meanwhile, the uprising led by the youth in the country has shown a degree of volatility that might not be easily subdued.

Although a new interim government led by noble laureate Muhammad Yunus was quickly initiated on Thursday, analysts noted that the surprise July protests led by students, which broke more than 15 years of leadership from the Awami League party, could possibly shift the balance of power in the country.

Manufacturers in Bangladesh have been working hard to reassure their customers that factories are back to work, and that the news about safety concerns on the streets was no longer impacting labor. There has been a flurry of reassuring calls to brands and retailers about the state of the industry in Bangladesh.

But the million-dollar question is whether—or how much—business could shift to other countries in the wake of the turmoil.

Many manufacturers in neighboring locales, including India and Sri Lanka, gave an official and humanitarian-leaning answer to Sourcing Journal: “Why would we look to benefit from another neighboring country’s misfortune?”

However, others indicated that opportunities are likely on the rise as brands and retailers look to ensure their production and delivery timelines. A report released Thursday by leading Indian ratings agency CareEdge estimated $200 million to $250 million in monthly business could shift to India in the near future. The report described the current situation in Bangladesh as a “golden chance for the Indian apparel sector to expand its footprint both in the short and medium term.”

“Large-scale readymade garment manufacturers with operational efficiency and backward integration are expected to be the biggest winners as global brands seek reliable and efficient suppliers,” the report noted, adding that “If the unrest in Bangladesh persists for an extended period, it could result in a significant shift in export orders towards India.” Other analysts projected an even higher figure of $350 million a month.

“Many of the brands and retailers who manufacture in Bangladesh also have production in Tirupur and other parts of India,” Raja Shanmugham, former president of Tirupur Exporters Association explained. “Many brands who work with Bangladesh also work in Tiruppur, and it is easy to wait and watch and make their decisions as things pan out. The priority for many of the brands has been Bangladesh, followed by India, so there is no need for any special initiation from the side of our manufacturers to reach out to brands. They will make their own decisions,” he said.

“As such, it could just be a temporary disturbance, but it’s hard to say,” he added. “Any government will make it a priority to bring stability. But when the situation is volatile, unexpected disturbances can erupt at any time, and it’s difficult for a new government to have control over the masses. Any vested interest can easily distort things for their own benefit, which would make brands more cautious in placing orders. The apparel industry is seasonally driven, and there can be no delays in shipments.”

“It is unfortunate, when competition comes how everyone works on others’ weaknesses,” he said, noting that it also happened over time with China. “Many brands took a conscious call to pull out of China in a phased manner—that has been happening. It didn’t happen overnight, and not likely to in this case either, but perhaps more strategic decisions to spread out to the best of possibilities,” Sahnmugham said.

India hasn’t benefitted greatly from the China-plus-one strategy. “India’s disorganization can be an advantage to another, but we have to get geared up to see if we are up to the mark. The preparedness is missing, the uptake planning may not be in place, but it can definitely be corrected. It is a good time to change the way it works here,” he observed, even while noting that Tiruppur has been known for its efficiency and capacity for growth. In May 2024, exports from the Southern India knitwear hub reached $360 million, up from $323 million from May 2023. The region also accounts for 55 percent of India’s knitwear exports.

Manufacturers in Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had similar reactions. While they looked at the possible windows for business, their reactions were mixed with sympathy—and, in some cases, a sense of déjà vu.

“We know how tough this is,” Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) secretary general Yohan Lawrence said. “We went through something similar two years back, and we wish them well to come out of it.”

Bandula Fernando, chairman of the Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters, which represents small and medium enterprises sector within JAAF, observed: “At the end of the day it is a critical situation—and we are happy to do anything we can do to support and help them get back on their feet. It’s not about trying to see what you can take in someone else’s crisis.”

But he also believed that there would be a change, and a shift toward Sri Lanka—a topic that is being discussed extensively by manufacturers and exporters among themselves.

“Brands can’t easily move orders immediately—the fabric, the accessories, everything is already at the factories assigned,” he said. “But in the short term, I think 5 percent to 10 percent of orders will come to Sri Lanka. We can’t do it at their price, but if they need it urgently, brands will be willing to pay more.”

Other, smaller manufacturers had a different mindset, observing that Bangladesh did not hesitate to take their orders or show any sympathy for manufacturers in Sri Lanka when they were going through a crisis in 2022, and “it was a chance to flip that coin.”

A local newspaper in Colombo was quick to point out this week that Sri Lanka was poised to benefit from some apparel orders in the short term, citing JAAF. “Given Sri Lanka’s proven ability to adapt and our available capacity, we expect some foreign buyers to turn to Sri Lanka until the situation in Bangladesh stabilizes,” the paper quoted Lawrence as saying, while noting that “Sri Lanka had agility and sophisticated production capabilities, and spare capacity to fill in the gaps.”

Manufacturers in Bangladesh, meanwhile, are struggling to get back on their feet.

Adding to the escalating tensions and changing situations within the country is the fallout within the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the trade association known for its strength in bringing exporters together, perhaps more than in any other country. However, its leadership is known to have strong political associations, and the infighting within was par for the course, along with the fall of the government.

Mostafiz Uddin, managing director of Denim Expert Ltd. and founder and CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo and Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE), said that from a political perspective, it would appear that Muhammad Yunus “is the perfect candidate to restore peace and order to Bangladesh.” He stressed the fact that brands and associations from across the world were showing support for the industry. “Petty squabbles and video footage of violence among trade body members will only tarnish our reputation. It is time to put all our differences aside,” he said.

Other manufacturers have similar concerns. “I am afraid of the bad branding of Bangladesh to the rest of the world,” Munzarin Zaman, director of Fakir Apparels, said. “We have worked really hard over the years to recover from Rana Plaza, and the stereotypes about Bangladesh. We are sad to think it may effect the industry again because of politics. All our workers are local residents, so it’s been safe. When there was violence, we had kept our factories closed to safeguard them. Right now, things are better,” she added.

However, smaller factory owners said that the struggle continues as worker safety and uncertainty on the streets continue to cause delays and closures. They noted that the political climate is still unsteady.

“We will just have to wait and watch,” one noted.

Just like the rest of the world.

This student was handing out bottles of water to protesters. Minutes later, he was dead

Rebecca Wright
Mon, August 12, 2024 

Using his sleeve to wipe tear gas from his burning eyes, 25-year-old Mugdho weaves through the crowd, handing out bottles of water to the protesters whose demands for reform would soon topple Bangladesh’s leader.

Fifteen minutes later, the university student would become a martyr of the protest movement, when a bullet pierced his forehead as he paused to rest during the searing afternoon heat in the capital Dhaka.

Mugdho – whose full name was Mir Mahfuzur Rahman – was rushed to hospital by his friend and fellow protesters, but it was too late, his twin Snigdho – Mir Mahbubur Rahman – told CNN. “I just hugged him, and I cried.”

The video of Mugdho handing out water before his death on July 18 punctured the social news feeds of millions across Bangladesh, galvanizing more people to take to the streets calling for justice for the lives lost.

What began as peaceful protests against a quota system for government jobs spiraled into a nationwide movement to push longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina out of office, resulting in a deadly crackdown and clashes which killed at least 300 people, according to analysis by local media and agencies.

“(The killings) kept happening, and everyone was silent,” said Farah Porshia, a 23-year-old protester who works at a tech company in Dhaka. “We needed to stand up for ourselves, and for democracy.”

Hasina fled to India by helicopter last week as tens of thousands of protesters marched on her home. By Thursday, the Bangladeshi economist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus had returned to Dhaka to form a temporary government, ahead of elections which the constitution states should be held within 90 days.

“I’m surprised by the amount of power we hold,” Porshia said. “Because for years, all of us have been feeling so powerless.”
Families seek justice

As the chaos of the last month is replaced by an uneasy calm, many families are now seeking accountability for the deaths of their loved ones.

Identical twins Mugdho and Snigdho were inseparable since birth – eating, sleeping and studying together, sharing clothes as well as secrets.

“He was not only my brother, he was my best friend, he is one of the parts of my body,” Snigdho said. “We used to do everything together.”

Mugdho (pictured) had a mathematics degree. His identical twin brother Snigdho said they were not only brothers but best friends. - Family photo

Math graduate Mugdho was studying for an MBA, and Snigdho had graduated with a law degree. The twins were planning to move to Italy this fall – to further their studies and explore Europe on motorbikes. To save money for their travels, they were doing social media marketing for the online freelancer hub Fiver.

Now, Snigdho and the twins’ older brother Dipto – Mir Mahmudur Rahman – are facing a future without Mugdho.

They kept hold of the university ID card Mugdho wore on a lanyard around his neck when he died – his spattered blood left to dry as a symbol of that dark day.

Mugdho’s brothers have kept the lanyard he was wearing when he was shot during protests in Bangladesh. - Salman Saeed/CNN

Now, they are trying to find solace from the impact Mugdho made on the protest movement.

“Because of him, people got the strength to do the protest,” Snigdho said. “He always used to say that ‘I will make my parents proud someday.’ That moment has come.”

Mugdho died two days after another pivotal moment in the protests – the death of 25-year-old Abu Sayed on July 16, captured on video which was widely circulated.

Amnesty International analyzed the videos and accused police officers of deliberately firing at Sayed with 12-gauge shotguns in a “seemingly intentional, unprovoked attack,” and condemned the authorities for using “unlawful force.”

CNN tried to reach the police for comment.

Cultural activists and members of civil society clashing with police at a march for victims killed during the recent nationwide student protests, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on July 30, 2024. - Ahmed Salahuddin/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The shocking deaths of Sayed and Mugdho catapulted the unrest from being a largely student-led protest into the mainstream.

“Everybody was on the streets, people of every race, every religion, every ethnicity, of all ages, professionals, students, infants were on the roads,” Porshia said.

Among the hundreds of people who have reportedly died during the clashes over the past few weeks, UNICEF says at least 32 were children.

In a tiny shack made of corrugated metal and mud in the heart of Dhaka, the parents of 13-year-old victim Mubarak are still trying to process what happened to their son.

His mother Fareeda Begum rocks back and forth, weeping as she watches Mubarak’s TikTok videos on her phone – now all that she has left of him.

The youngest of four and the only one who still lived at home, Mubarak often helped his parents with their cows so they could sell milk to survive.

Mohammad Ramzan Ali holds a photo of his 13-year-old son Mubarak, who was killed during anti-government protests in Bangladesh. - Salman Saeed/CNN

“He was a smiling, happy boy. If you gave him work, he would never say no, he would do it with a smile,” his father Mohammad Ramzan Ali said, adding that he could also be “a little mischievous.”

Mubarak was outside playing with his friends on July 19 when the curious teenager wandered a short distance from their home in central Dhaka to see the protests.

The parents only found out that he’d been shot when they got a call from the hospital.

Holding his wife Fareeda in his arms as her tears rolled down her face, Ali said, “My son has been martyred for this movement.”

“I did not understand this quota protest before, we are uneducated,” he said. “But later what I understood is that this protest isn’t just for students, it’s for all of Bangladesh.”

CNN’s Esha Mitra contributed reporting.