EU expresses ‘deep concern’ over violent student protests in Bangladesh

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) – EU on Friday voiced concern over violent student protests against jobs quota system that claimed over 75 lives in Bangladesh.

“The EU is deeply concerned by the violence and tragic loss of life that has occurred in the context of the protests in Bangladesh,” Nabila Massrali, the EU's spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a statement.

“It is vital that further violence is averted and that a peaceful resolution to the situation is found as swiftly as possible, underpinned by the rule of law and democratic freedoms,” Massrali noted.

Situation remains volatile in Bangladesh amid communications blackout while death toll surged over 75 on Friday.

Most of the deaths were reported in Dhaka, police sources told Anadolu correspondent in the capital, the center of protests against reservations in public jobs.

More than 2,000 people have been injured during the clashes across the country, health sources said.

Despite a ban on large processions or gatherings in the capital Dhaka, clashes between demonstrators and security forces continued throughout the day, which resulted in at least 30 more deaths, taking the toll to 75.