Bangladesh's rising voices

Feb 19

Episode

Bangladesh's rising voices

War crimes protests heat up across the nation.

Students of the Holy Cross Girls' College shout slogans as they attend a mass demonstration at Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka February 10, 2013. Andrew Biraj/REUTERS

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Mass protests are dominating the headlines in Bangladesh. It all started with the sentencing of a war criminal to life in prison - many say Abdul Quadar Molla should get the death penalty. But there seems to be much more to these rallies than a search for justice. Women are showing up in droves and the rallies are being organised by the youth via social media like never before. Is this Bangladesh’s Tahrir Square?

In this episode of The Stream, we speak to:

Tazreena Sajjad
Professorial Lecturer, American University

Mahtab Haider
Former Current Affairs Editor, Independent Television

Sabhanaz Rashid Diya @diya880
Founder, One Degree Initiative Foundation 1di.org

View the story "Bangladesh's Rising Voices" on StorifyBangladesh's Rising VoicesRallies over the sentencing of a war criminal turn into much more.Storified by The Stream· Tue, Feb 19 2013 09:48:32For two weeks, Bangladesh has seen a wave of protests. Hundreds of thousands of people - musicians, activists, and even the national cricket team - have taken part. The main rallies have been nicknamed 'Shahbag' after the area in the capital Dhaka where people are gathering. Abdul Qader MollaAJstreamThe protests are in reaction to the sentencing of Abdul Qader Molla, a leader of the Islamist Jamaat-e Islami opposition party, who was handed a life sentence for crimes connected to the 1971 war for independence from Pakistan. They think Molla should have gotten the death penalty.The protests were initially organised by the Bloggers and Online Activists Network, whose Facebook page is pictured below.Bangladesh FB event that started it allAJstreamBangladeshi bloggers and online activists. Feb 6. EPAAJstreamThousands Protesting Crowd In #Shahbagh in solidarity with bloggers and online activists’ ongoing protests:.http://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/02/10/in-pictures-the-protesting-crowd-in-shahbag/SALEEM SAMADAlthough protesters are using Facebook to organise rallies, Twitter is being used as a way to call attention to the Shahbag movement internationally.@jennbeijing @AJStream The history of #Bangladesh #Pakistan #India #Britain is kind of similar to that of #Lebanon #Syria #France history.Atef abd ar Rahman@AJStream No regime change likely, therefore not of interest to the international media. #shahbag is very badly ignored.Ishtiaq RoufThe video below encourages netizens to join the protest in Shahbag.Shahbag Protest: the callingmaribnsuWomen are also turning out in large numbers at Shahbag, which is also known as Projonmo Chattar, or 'New Generation Platform'.bangladeshi women chanting peaceful slogansAJstreamThis is the face of BanglaDesh. An elderly woman joins the young men and women occupying #Shahbag square in Dhaka. http://pic.twitter.com/rqzbU90rTarek FatahThousands of conservative Bangladeshi women join #Shahbag protests to end political Islam: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/02/11/bangladeshi-women-join-shahbag-protests-in-remarkable-numbers/ via @globalvoicesSALEEM SAMAD#shahbag - particularly happy n proud to see women safely participating - no bad incident so far - Alhumdulillah. Bros-pls dont let us down.Tahsina BanuYou already know, many women stay @ #Shahbag all night long, no problem with their safety. Here's a report: http://goo.gl/e1KgT #ShahbaghShahbag Square LIVE

In the video below, one of the most famous female activists, Lucky Akter, leads the chanting.

Luckys slogan shahbag 2sylhetnewsonlineThe supporters of Molla's party, Jamaat-e Islami, staged counter-demonstrations against his sentencing. They are calling for the release of Molla and his co-defendents. Jamaat Islami and Chhatra Shibir. Motijhil, Dhaka. Feb 4. EPAAJstreamThe youth branch of Jamaat-e Islam, Chhatra Shibir, also participated in the rallies. Jamaat Islami and Chhatra Shibir. Feb 4. EPAAJstreamAl Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker reported on both sides' continuing protests from Bangladesh. Protests continue over Bangladesh war crimes trialaljazeeraenglishOn Friday, February 15, protesters were further angered by the death of Rajib Haider, a Bangladeshi blogger who helped organise the Shahbag protests. Following Haider's death, protesters decided to continue holding 24-hour demonstrations. Below is an image of Haider's coffin being carried through the crowds. News for blogger's death shahbag.orgAJstreamBy killing Blogger Rajib you have given birth 100 new bloggers. #shahbag movement will go on till justice is served to all our martyrs. RIP.Shahbag MovementIf the bloggers deny protection it will be VERY BRAVE, so AL can stick their nose 'less' into the movement. #Shahbag This is our movement.PriomRead more of The Stream's coverage of Haider's death here.Bangladeshi expatriates around the world have expressed their solidarity with the Shahbag protesters.Shahbag support Wayne State UAJstreamShahbag support Universitaet UlmAJstreamNetherlands support for ShahbagAJstreamShahbag protests brought people together to express anger over the sentencing of Molla, but it has also drawn attention to larger problems facing Bangladeshis. @jennbeijing @AJStream lives are being lost all sides. #Bangladesh needs to focus on real problems we have TODAY to move forward.Atef abd ar Rahman