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| Bangladesh troops prompts concern | Bangladesh troops prompts concern |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The US-based Human Rights Watch has expressed concern over the decision to deploy the army ahead of January's general elections in Bangladesh. | |
| President Iajuddin Ahmed ordered troops onto the streets on Saturday to put an end to days of protests by campaigners from the opposition. | President Iajuddin Ahmed ordered troops onto the streets on Saturday to put an end to days of protests by campaigners from the opposition. |
| They are demanding changes they say are necessary for free and fair elections. | They are demanding changes they say are necessary for free and fair elections. |
| The government has said it had made the decision to deploy troops in order "to protect public life and property". | The government has said it had made the decision to deploy troops in order "to protect public life and property". |
| The move prompted four members of Bangladesh's interim cabinet to resign in protest. | The move prompted four members of Bangladesh's interim cabinet to resign in protest. |
| "Past experience with Bangladeshi leaders deploying the military gives us serious cause for concern," said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch. | "Past experience with Bangladeshi leaders deploying the military gives us serious cause for concern," said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch. |
| If the military is to promote law and order today, it must respect the law Brad Adams, Human Rights Watch | If the military is to promote law and order today, it must respect the law Brad Adams, Human Rights Watch |
| "During the last major deployment in 2002, more than 50 people died after being arrested by troops." | "During the last major deployment in 2002, more than 50 people died after being arrested by troops." |
| Mr Adams said "abusive members of the military have enjoyed near-total immunity for their violent crimes in the past". | Mr Adams said "abusive members of the military have enjoyed near-total immunity for their violent crimes in the past". |
| "If the military is to promote law and order today, it must respect the law." | "If the military is to promote law and order today, it must respect the law." |
| 'Biased' | 'Biased' |
| Despite the deployment, the opposition Awami League has pledged more protests before the nation votes on 23 January. | Despite the deployment, the opposition Awami League has pledged more protests before the nation votes on 23 January. |
| The army deployment came after the Awami League and its allies held several nationwide blockades in recent weeks to demand election reforms. | The army deployment came after the Awami League and its allies held several nationwide blockades in recent weeks to demand election reforms. |
| The opposition says the list of people entitled to vote is out of date and that some members of the election commission are biased towards the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. | The opposition says the list of people entitled to vote is out of date and that some members of the election commission are biased towards the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. |
| The most recent nationwide blockade of roads and railways in Bangladesh was suspended last Monday after two days of disruption. | The most recent nationwide blockade of roads and railways in Bangladesh was suspended last Monday after two days of disruption. |
| Awami League supporters have held daily protests | Awami League supporters have held daily protests |
| Last week, the electoral commission said the vote, originally set for 21 January, would be delayed by two days because of continuing political turmoil. | Last week, the electoral commission said the vote, originally set for 21 January, would be delayed by two days because of continuing political turmoil. |
| Ms Zia ended her five-year tenure as prime minister on 28 October, handing power to a caretaker administration headed by President Ahmed. | Ms Zia ended her five-year tenure as prime minister on 28 October, handing power to a caretaker administration headed by President Ahmed. |
| At least 44 people have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes across the country since her tenure expired. | At least 44 people have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes across the country since her tenure expired. |
| Under the Bangladeshi constitution, a caretaker government must hold elections within 90 days of taking power. | Under the Bangladeshi constitution, a caretaker government must hold elections within 90 days of taking power. |