Massive protests by students and their supporters in Bangladesh this July and August led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the creation of an interim government headed by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, raising hopes of an end to repression and the creation of new opportunities for students and workers.

The murder of at least 300 students and other protesters and the detention of thousands were only the most recent instances of government repression against human and labour rights activists, garment workers and union leaders.