Documents show U.S. set in motion plan to oust Hasina - The Sunday Guardian Live

The plan to remove Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh was set in motion in early 2019 .

Documents provided to The Sunday Guardian show how the project was necessary to counter-balance India ’s “interference” After Mongolia ( 1996 ), Haiti ( 2001 ) and Uganda ( 2021 ), Bangladesh became the latest victory for the US -based International Republican Institute ( IRI ).

The Awami League government used the Digital Security Act (DSA—passed in 2018 —to imprison political opponents, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens who criticized or challenged the state’s response to COVID-19 on social media.

IRI supported socially conscious artists because they are an underutilized actor in a rapidly closing civic space.

The body stated that it would “enhance marginalized voices, especially youth and women, within political debate and decision making”.

The BNP faces external pressure, internal disarray, and declining popularity, says IRI report.

IRI ’s most recent national survey in September 2019 showed approval for the opposition’ at 36 percent , which was the lowest rated institution in the survey.

The report also had a very low opinion of the Bangladesh army, the business class and the civil society.