U.S. Urges Bangladesh to Respect Peaceful Protests Amid Violent Clashes Over Job Quotas

The United States has called on Bangladesh to uphold the right to peaceful protest following violent clashes over the government's job quota system. Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets, leading to at least six deaths and scores of injuries amid escalating demonstrations.

This week's protests turned violent when thousands of anti-quota demonstrators clashed with the student wing of the ruling Awami League party across the country. Authorities confirmed that six people, including three students, were killed during clashes on Tuesday.

Students are angered by a public sector job quota system that reserves 30% of positions for the families of fighters from Bangladesh's 1971 War of Independence from Pakistan. With nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis unemployed or not in education, the quotas have sparked widespread discontent.

(With inputs from agencies.)