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Over the past 15 years, Sheikh Hasina presided over Bangladesh as Prime Minister with what many have described as a dictatorial style. It was this, accompanied by long-running resentment over her government's civil service quota system, which saw 30% of governments jobs reserved for certain groups, that served as the catalyst for recent demonstrations against her rule.
The unrest came to a head on 5 August, when she was forced to flee the country as hundreds of thousands of protesters, many of them youths alienated by severe rates of unemployment, rallied to the capital Dhaka and breached her personal residence. This all occurred after a fortnight of brutal crackdowns which saw 440 protesters killed and many more injured.
After dissolving parliament on 6 August, President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed Muhammad Yunus as the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh to lead the "caretaker" government. A Nobel Laureate, Yunus had been previously subjected to judicial harassment from the Hasina government, particularly over his plans to create a "citizen powers" political party in 2007.
Bangladesh now finds itself in a power vacuum with many fearing what its political and economic future may be, and which party will emerge to lead it moving forward. Many are also worried about whether the key concerns of the protesters which led the unrest will be addressed.
What are the socio-economic, trade and regional security implications? What influence, if any, will Yunus have on the formation of a new government and their agenda? Who are the main players now vying for political control and what are their policies?
AIIA Victoria warmly invites you to discuss these questions with our panellists: Dr. Pradeep Taneja, Dr. Reshad Ahsan, Dr. Lailufar Yasmin and Barrister Junayed Chowdhury. Moderated by Mohammad Chowdhury (CEO Long Street Advisors).
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AIIA Victoria gratefully acknowledges the Walter Mangold Trust Fund for its ongoing support of our young members.
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