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Bangladesh troops prompts concern New Bangladesh advisers appointed
(about 5 hours 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. Three new members have been sworn into Bangladesh's temporary cabinet to replace four who resigned on Monday.
President Iajuddin Ahmed ordered troops onto the streets on Saturday to put an end to days of protests by campaigners from the opposition. They stepped down questioning President Iajuddin Ahmed's commitment to organising a free and fair vote after he called the army onto the streets.
They are demanding changes they say are necessary for free and fair elections. His move came after weeks of political unrest as parties opposed to the last government demand electoral reforms.
The government has said it had made the decision to deploy troops in order "to protect public life and property". The US-based group Human Rights Watch expressed concern at the decision to deploy troops ahead of January's vote.
The move prompted four members of Bangladesh's interim cabinet to resign in protest. 'Abusive military'
"Past experience with Bangladeshi leaders deploying the military gives us serious cause for concern," said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch. The BBC's Roland Buerk in the capital, Dhaka, says the president's appointment of new cabinet members is unlikely to end the turmoil gripping the country.
If the military is to promote law and order today, it must respect the law Brad Adams, Human Rights WatchIf 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." A fourth member of the caretaker government is likely to take the oath later, our correspondent adds.
President Ahmed tried in vain to persuade the original cabinet members to remain in their posts.
The government has said it had made the decision to deploy troops on Saturday in order "to protect public life and property".
Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said: "Past experience with Bangladeshi leaders deploying the military gives us serious cause for concern. "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 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 party and its allies are demanding changes they say are necessary for free and fair elections.
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. Several nationwide blockades have been held in recent weeks to demand reforms.
The parties say 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 protestsAwami 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 term 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.