Amnesty for end to hunt for students, opponents

The Amnesty International has called for the Bangladesh authorities to immediately stop their blanket hunt for students and political foes.

The human rights group in a social media post on Monday said "Peaceful protest is not a crime", urging the government to respect peaceful protests.

Media reports state that security forces have been raiding neighbourhoods and conducting mass arrests, targeting students and opposition activists.

The whereabouts of some arrestees are unknown. Several student leaders have been arrested from the hospital where they were being treated for injuries, it added.

During a virtual press conference on Sunday, a coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement alleged that more than 3,500 students have so far been detained across the country.

"The Amnesty International urges the authorities to immediately stop their blanket hunt for students and opposition members," the organisation added.

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