IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Autor): „Information on the general strike of 10-12 November 1994, especially on when it was called and by whom, on its purpose, on whether it was violent and on any demonstrations connected to it [BGD21760.E]“, Dokument #1079105

Information on the general strike of 10-12 November 1994, especially on when it was called and by whom, on its purpose, on whether it was violent and on any demonstrations connected to it [BGD21760.E]

The Left Democratic Front, an opposition coalition of small parties (Reuters 9 Nov. 1994), called an eight-hour strike for 10 November 1994 in an effort to force the government to hold early elections under a caretaker government (Reuter Asia-Pacific Business Report 10 Nov. 1994). This strike "shut down most offices, businesses and schools" in Dhaka (ibid.). Other parts of the country were also affected by the strike, according to Japan Economic Newswire, which reported that at least 50 people were injured in clashes and bomb blasts and that a number of people were arrested by security personnel (10 Nov. 1994). Jatiya Party (JP) deputy leader Moudud Ahmed was among the injured, according to opposition sources (Reuters 9 Nov. 1994). According to Reuters, the New Democratic Front was at that time also calling for the removal of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, among other demands (ibid.).

According to Reuters, opposition parties called for a two-day strike to begin 12 November 1994, involving a dawn-to-dusk general strike in Dhaka that day and a day-long national strike the following day in an effort to "force the government to step down in favour of a caretaker administration to hold new elections" (9 Nov. 1994). According to the Associated Press (AP) attachment, these strikes "also got hold" in other cities (13 Nov. 1994). United Press International (UPI) reports that the opposition demanded the "next general elections be held under the auspices of a non-partisan caretaker government" (13 Nov. 1994).

Reuters indicates that the strike was called on 9 November 1994 (9 Nov. 1994). Japan Economic Newswire states that the general strike of 12-13 November 1994 was called by the Awami League (AL), the Jatiya Party (JP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) also called "in protest over police action against opposition activists" on 10 November 1994 at which time approximately 100 people were injured (12 Nov. 1994).

Banks, offices and shops were closed on 12 November 1994 in Dhaka and tricycle rickshaws were the only vehicles in use (UPI 12 Nov. 1994; Reuters 12 Nov. 1994). According to UPI, road and rail transportation was "virtually paralyzed" for both days (13 Nov. 1994), whereas Xinhua reports that the strike "did not affect the operation of all passenger trains and flights as well as water vessels (sic)" (12 Nov. 1994).

According to the Xinhua attachment, the first day of the general strike in Dhaka, 12 November 1994, "passed off peacefully" (12 Nov. 1994). The 12 November 1994 Reuters attachment describes some of the violence that took place that same day. According to other sources, approximately 35 people were injured the following day in clashes between opposition activists and BNP supporters in Sirajganj and Natore (AP 13 Nov. 1994; Keesing's Nov. 1994, 40282).

According to Xinhua, the AL, the JP and the JI, which had called the strike, "held separate demonstrations and rallies" in Dhaka and protested police actions of 9 November 1994 following an opposition sit-in protest at the prime minister's secretariat (12 Nov. 1994).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Associated Press (AP). 13 November 1994. Farid Hossain. "Strike Hit Major Cities, 35 Injured in Clashes." (NEXIS)

Japan Economic Newswire. 12 November 1994. "General Strike in Bangladesh Pushes for Caretaker Government." (NEXIS)

_____. 10 November 1994. "50 People Injured During Bangladesh Strike." (NEXIS)

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. November 1994. Vol. 40, No. 11. "Bangladesh: Renewed Anti-Government Demonstrations."

The Reuter Asia-Pacific Business Report. 10 November 1994. BC Cycle. Syed Ahmeduzzaman. "Dhaka Hopes To Attract Business Despite Strike." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 12 November 1994. BC Cycle. Anis Ahmed. "Violence Kills Four in Bangladesh, Strike Begins." (NEXIS)

_____. 9 November 1994. BC Cycle. Anis Ahmed. "Opposition Calls for Strikes After Battles." (NEXIS)

The United Press International (UPI). 13 November 1994. BC Cycle. "Bangladesh Opposition Continues Strike." (NEXIS)

_____. 12 November 1994. BC Cycle. "Bangladesh Opposition Party on Strike." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua News Agency. 12 November 1994. "Dhaka's General Strike Ends Peacefully in 1st Day." (NEXIS)

Attachments

All-India Radio [New Delhi, in English]. 13 November 1994. "Internal Affairs; Clashes as Opposition Strike Brings Dhaka to Halt." (BBC Summary 14 Nov. 1994/NEXIS)