World reacts to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country after weeks of protests against her government that have left hundreds dead.

Hasina, 76, resigned on Monday after student protests last month against a quota system for government jobs turned into a widespread call for her dismissal – the worst political crisis to hit her during her 15-year rule.

As tens of thousands of people surrounded government offices and residences in the capital Dhaka, Hasina fled in a military helicopter with her sister. She landed in New Delhi, according to Indian media reports.

In an address to the nation, Bangladeshi army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the country of 170 million people would now be ruled by a caretaker government, but did not give details.

Here are some global reactions to Hasina’s ouster and the unrest in the country:

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party

Rahman, who lives in exile in Britain, told the X programme that “Hasina’s resignation proves the power of the people”.

“Together, let us rebuild Bangladesh as a democratic and developed country where the rights and freedoms of all people are protected,” he appealed.

British Prime Minister’s Office

A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement that his office was concerned by the violence and the “significant number of deaths, including among students, children and law enforcement officers”, saying it was “completely unacceptable”.

“The right to peaceful protest must be protected and must never be subject to violence. We call on the authorities to release all peaceful protesters and ensure that those accused and prosecuted are properly questioned,” Starmer’s spokesman added.

Bangladeshi Diaspora in the UK

In Whitechapel, a London district that is home to a large Bangladeshi community, many people took to the streets to celebrate.

Waving the national flag and honking their horns, they chanted, “Bangladesh! Bangladesh!”

“Bangladesh has now achieved its second independence,” said Abu Sayem, 50. “We actually gained independence for the first time in 1971, but the autocrat Sheikh Hasina ruled the country by force. She took away our rights. She killed thousands of children.”

Taxi driver Ishtiaque Choudhury said, “It is a relief for us and I am happy for the good of my country.”

Germany

A German Foreign Ministry spokesman said it was “important that Bangladesh continues its democratic path” amid the unrest in the country.

European Union

The European Union has called for an “orderly and peaceful” transition to democratic rule in Bangladesh.

“The EU calls for calm and restraint. It is essential to ensure an orderly and peaceful transition to a democratically elected government, with full respect for human rights and democratic principles,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

US Senator

PM Hasina’s violent response to legitimate protests has made her continued rule untenable. I salute the brave protesters and demand justice for those killed. It is important to establish a sustainable transitional government that respects the rights of all and quickly holds democratic elections,” US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Oct.

UN Special Rapporteur

Irene Khan, the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion, said the army, which set up an interim government after Hasina fled, faces a “very difficult task”.

“We all hope that the transition will be peaceful and that everyone will be held accountable for all the human rights violations that have taken place recently, including the killing of about 300 people in the last three weeks,” Khan told Al Jazeera.

“Bangladesh obviously has a huge task ahead of it. It is no longer a model of sustainable development. The previous government left the country in despair and it would take a lot of hard work to rebuild it, but above all I think it is extremely important that the army respects human rights.”

Amnesty International

Taqbir Huda, Amnesty International’s South Asia researcher, told Democracy Now that although Hasina had resigned, much of the violence “could have been avoided” if her government had been more responsive to student demands.

He noted that the military had taken power and warned: “Given Bangladesh’s history with military dictatorships… it is really important to stress that this has to be a time-limited measure until… government can be re-established.”

India

While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has not yet commented on Hasina’s resignation, it has declared a “high alert level” on the 4,096-km (2,545-mile) border with Bangladesh.

The Modi government has been reported to maintain close ties with the Hasina-led Awami League government.