UN concerned for students’ safety as safe-road protests simmer in Bangladesh

The United Nations has expressed concern for the safety of children and young people in the ongoing protests for safe roads in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh.

It has “urgently” called upon all parties to keep everyone – including children and young people – safe on the roads and safe from any kind of violence.

“Students and young people have a legitimate right to speak out on issues of concern to them including road safety issues and to have their opinion heard without the threat of violence,” it said in a statement on Sunday.

“It is a matter of deep concern that a number of young people taking part in demonstrations in the capital have been injured over the last few days. Many schools have been closed as a result of the protests, depriving children of learning opportunities,” it added.

The statement quoted UN Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo as saying, “We are deeply concerned about the reports of violence and call on all for calm. The concerns expressed by youth about road safety are legitimate and a solution is needed for a mega city like Dhaka. A functioning public transport system should ensure the safety of all, including children, young girls and women.”

The UN has long campaigned for better road safety across the world and traffic accidents in Bangladesh are one of the major killers of young people, the world body said.

There are more than 20,000 road fatalities every year in Bangladesh, it added, citing a World Health Organization report.

The students in Bangladesh are protesting for justice and road safety measures after a bus crushed two of their peers to death and injured several others in Dhaka last Sunday.

The protesters clashed with the police, pro-government youths and transporters at different parts of the capital during the weeklong demonstrations.

Journalists covering the demonstrations have also been attacked and injured.