Bangladesh, 2025: Protests Return, Western Silence Prevails
When mass protests return to Bangladesh following the killing of a student leader, mainstream outlets like Al Jazeera dutifully cover the events. However, an uncanny silence often descends from Western capitals and newsrooms—a stark contrast to the 'democracy' and 'human rights' alarm bells that deafen us on cue when it suits a particular geopolitical agenda. Funny how some civilian deaths are
tragic and newsworthy, while others are just 'local issues.' We saw this same pattern with the previous crackdowns under Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, where dissenting voices were stifled and human rights organisations reported widespread abuses. Yet, the same politicians and pundits who demand investigations in other nations somehow lose their voices when convenient. One might wonder
if the depth of their concern correlates directly with the presence of oil or strategic military bases, rather than genuine humanitarian principles. How many more 'incidents' before the West finds its moral compass in South Asia?