Gov’t Assists Maldivian Students in Bangladesh Amid Protests
Photo: MV+
The Government of Maldives is working to bring home two Maldivian students from Bangladesh after their schools shut down due to mass student demonstrations across the country.
In a statement released yesterday, the Maldives Foreign Ministry announced that the two students, who were studying at a medical school in northern Bangladesh, requested support to return to the Maldives following the closures. The Maldives High Commissions in Bangladesh and India facilitated their crossing of the Bangladesh-India border, the ministry reported.
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Bangladesh has witnessed significant student-led demonstrations over the past two weeks. These protests have been sparked by a controversial government job quota system and rising unemployment rates.
According to Reuters, schools and universities in Bangladesh have been closed since Wednesday, with the government declaring Sunday and Monday as public holidays. Additionally, internet and text messaging services have been suspended, and a curfew has been imposed.
The Maldives Foreign Ministry stated that the Maldives High Commission in Bangladesh is actively monitoring the well-being of Maldivians residing or visiting the country. The High Commission is providing support to over 90 registered students, families, and visitors. The ministry confirmed that all Maldivians are generally safe and in good health.
The protests in Bangladesh are centered around the reinstatement of a 30 percent quota of civil service jobs for descendants of the 1971 liberation movement. The situation escalated on Thursday when members of the ruling party clashed with protesters.
The ministry advised all Maldivians in Bangladesh to adhere to the curfew and follow instructions from local authorities. They also urged any Maldivian in need of assistance to contact the High Commission:
Phone: +880 1329 748 885 / + 880 1708 120 318
Email: admin@maldivesbd.org
Maldives Foreign Ministry Hotline: +960 7983400
