Curfews in place following deadly protests in Bangladesh • Climate activists disrupt flights in Europe • Suspected Hezbollah attack on Golan Heights
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Government eases curfews following deadly protests in Bangladesh
Following mass anti-government protests in Bangladesh, ongoing since early June 2024, the Bangladesh government said it would follow a Supreme Court ruling that 93% of state jobs be open to competition. The ruling follows an escalation in violence in mid-July 2024, with violent clashes killing at least 150 individuals. Over 1,600 arrests have been made, with the government also imposing a curfew and shutting down mobile internet and text message services. While some telecommunication services have since been restored and much of the violence has ended, fresh threats of protests have been made to the government if further demands are not met, which includes the restoration of internet, withdrawal of police from campuses, and opening universities.
The protests first began on university campuses in response to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government seeking to reinstate a 56% quota in government jobs. Protestors argued that the quotas left less than half of state jobs open to merit and unfairly benefit children of pro-government groups. Government positions are highly valued at a time when the country is in the midst of an unemployment crisis, with similar protests having taken place in 2018 that saw the quotas ruling first being scrapped.
The protests are seen as an unprecedented test for Hasina, who is currently serving her fourth term as Prime Minister, after having been elected in a controversial election that was boycotted by Bangladesh’s main opposition parties. Hasina’s recent comments blaming the protests on the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and referring to protesters as ‘Razakars’ – a derogatory label referring to a paramilitary force that collaborated with the Pakistani army during the 1971 war of independence – have stoked further anger, with some protestors calling for the resignation of government ministers and an apology from Hasina.
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Climate activists disrupt flights across Europe
On the morning of July 25th, 2024, Frankfurt airport had to cancel 140 flights after six Last Generation protestors glued themselves to the ground inside airport premises. The action is part of the latest climate activist campaign that also saw five protest groups taking part in coordinated actions against other European airports on July 24th, 2024, with similar activity also seen at the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport in Canada. The groups have threatened additional protests in coming days, which will likely result in further travel disruptions.
Last Generation demands the German government pursue a global agreement to exit oil, gas, and coal by 2030, with similar requests made by members of the organization across Europe and North America. In the United Kingdom, an end to oil, gas, and coal licenses has already been implemented, however activists such as Just Stop Oil are demanding that the UK government establish a legally binding treaty to stop extracting and burning oil, gas, and coal by 2030.
The ongoing disruptive protests have been a primary method used by many climate activists. Their activity has prompted governments to seek changes in rules surrounding protest rights and tighten rules for unauthorised entry to airports, with policy makers arguing that such activity endangers lives. In addition, any minor disruption at international airports can have major knock-on effects on other parts of the world, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.
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Suspected Hezbollah attack on Israeli-occupied Golan Heights prompts fear of wider regional war
On July 27th, 2024, 12 children were killed in a rocket attack on a football field in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights area, marking the deadliest attack on Israel or Israeli-annexed territory since the Hamas attack in October 2023. Israel and the United States have blamed the attack on Lebanon-based Hezbollah, though the group has denied responsibility. The deadly strike has prompted fears of an all-out-war in the region amidst escalating conditions in the Gaza Strip and no ceasefire agreement yet in place.
The attack was reportedly in response to Israeli airstrikes on Kfarkila in southern Lebanon that saw at least four militants killed, with at least one of them allegedly belonging to Hezbollah. Hezbollah has claimed at least four other attacks, including with Katyusha rockets, in retaliation for the Kfarkila airstrikes. On July 28th, 2024, Israel’s Security Cabinet authorised the government to respond to the attack on the Golan Heights, which appears to have put Lebanon on edge, prompting many airlines to cancel or delay flights at Beirut airport.
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Intense clashes between Israel and Hezbollah had previously not been seen since 2006, with the ongoing Gaza war having drawn in multiple Iran-backed militants, including the Houthis, who also most recently engaged in direct attacks on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously warned Lebanon that the country would be turned ‘into Gaza’ if Hezbollah were to start an all-out offensive. The militant group continues to maintain that it does not seek to widen the conflict, though similarly warned Israel of ‘devastation, destruction and displacement’ if Israel seeks to expand the conflict.
While negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza remain ongoing, the latest strikes are adding to concerns that a full-scale conflict may occur in the region. Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have been occurring near-daily since the Gaza war began in October 2023, though an increase in airstrikes has been observed in recent weeks. Whether or not the war in Gaza will spill over into Lebanon remains to be seen and will likely depend on the result of the current ceasefire negotiations, as well as the next steps taken by Israel.
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Maduro victory in Venezuelan election disputed domestically and internationally
On July 29th, 2024, Venezuela’s incumbent President Nicolas Maduro and his opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez both claimed victory in the Venezuelan presidential election. The National Electoral Council (CNE) president Elvis Amoroso announced that Maduro had won a third term with 51% of the vote and that Gonzalez had secured only 44%. However, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who had been barred from holding public office, claimed that Gonzalez ultimately won 70% of the vote. While Maduro’s allies, alongside other regional leaders that are more politically aligned with Maduro, including the presidents of Russia, Cuba, and Honduras, as well as a representative from China’s foreign ministry, have extended their congratulations for his victory multiple countries have expressed doubts regarding the outcome and legitimacy of the election.
Amoroso claimed about 80% of the ballot boxes had been counted, with results reportedly delayed due to an ‘aggression’ against the electoral data transmission system. Multiple independent exit polls had previously suggested a strong win for Gonzalez, prompting the global scepticism of the election results. Countries such as the United States, Germany, Spain, and the UK have called for further actions to encourage transparency, including detailed counting of votes and access to voting records at polling stations. Despite calls by Machado for the military, who have been long-standing allies of Maduro, to uphold these results, there have been no signs of them breaking from the government.
Maduro, whose previous re-election was considered fraudulent by the United States, had previously warned of a ‘bloodbath’ if he were to lose the current election. During the vote, multiple incidents of violence by ruling party supporters known as ‘collectives’ were reported in six states and Caracas, allegedly resulting in at least one death and scuffles with opposition supporters. Since July 26th, 2024, 46 people have also been arbitrarily detained in connection with the election, with at least 23 remaining in detention.
The CNE, which is meant to function as an independent body, has been criticised by Venezuela’s opposition as an arm of the government, with opposition officials reportedly not allowed to witness the overall national count or observe at several polling stations. The disputed outcome of the election has resulted in Venezuela’s bonds falling, with the US and European Union expected to threaten additional sanctions, potentially impacting Venezuela’s long-term economic stability.
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