Human Chain Protests Child Deaths from Measles, Opposes US Trade Agreement

Published : Friday, 15 May, 2026 at 7:12 PM Count : 9

A human chain demonstration was held demanding justice over the deaths of children infected with measles and calling for the trial of recently former interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum. Protesters also voiced opposition to what they described as an anti-public US trade agreement.

The program was organized on Friday morning in front of the National Press Club under the banner of “Conscious Citizens’ Society.” Teachers, journalists, lawyers, cultural activists, and people from different professions participated in the demonstration.

Participants demanded “justice for Yunus-Nurjahan and their associates responsible for the deaths of innocent and promising children from preventable measles, along with compensation for the deceased children.” As part of the protest, symbolic representations of dead children wrapped in white burial shrouds were displayed.

Speakers alleged that negligence by the Yunus administration had pushed thousands of children toward death. According to them, more than 500 children have already died based on official figures, while the unofficial number is believed to be much higher. They claimed that severe vaccine shortages caused by mismanagement and corruption led to the deaths of innocent children from ordinary families. Protesters demanded accountability from those involved in the administration. They also alleged that a “country-opposing” US trade agreement had caused long-term damage to Bangladesh and called for its immediate cancellation. At the same time, a 10-point charter of demands was presented to address the country’s ongoing political, social, and economic instability and to restore democratic values.

At the beginning of the program, participants observed a one-minute silence in memory of children who died amid the vaccine crisis, following a call by actor Juton Das. The event was moderated by poet Kutub Hilali, spokesperson for Creative Writers, while the main demands were presented by filmmaker, columnist, and activist SM Kamruzzaman Sagar.

Journalist and cultural activist Sakil Ahmed said, “Hundreds of children have died prematurely due to government negligence. Statistics from the past few weeks have deeply saddened us. We are not here today merely to mourn; we are here to demand justice. The deaths of more than 500 children are not a natural disaster — this is a planned humanitarian catastrophe.”

He further alleged that the country’s previously effective vaccination system run through UNICEF had been scrapped and that the vaccine procurement policy was abruptly changed under the supervision of Muhammad Yunus and Nurjahan Begum. According to him, UNICEF repeatedly warned the health authorities, but those warnings were ignored.

Speaking about the US trade agreement, Sakil Ahmed claimed that while children were dying from measles, the government signed a “Reciprocal Trade Agreement” that threatened the country’s sovereignty and economy. He alleged that the agreement would compel Bangladesh to import soybeans, corn, meat, and dairy products, potentially harming local farmers.

Advocate Chaitali Chakraborty said she wanted legal action taken against Yunus, Nurjahan, and their associates, alleging they had “looted the country” and should not be allowed to flee abroad.

Supreme Court lawyer Khayer Uddin Sikdar alleged that Muhammad Yunus had “deliberately handed the country over to a new East India Company” after August 5, 2024, and claimed that Bangladesh’s sovereignty was now under threat.

Journalist Hasan Ahmed expressed solidarity with the movement and demanded immediate accountability over the measles outbreak and cancellation of what he termed a “US colonial agreement.”

Social activist Shahriar Nafis Joy alleged that most activities of the Yunus administration were anti-state and claimed the government had been run by hired foreign individuals.

Among others who spoke at the event were theatre personality Ehsanul Aziz Babu, journalists Soheli Chowdhury and Shanta Farzana, Momin Mehedi, actor Rupok Dehlovi, and journalist Mazharul Islam Masum.

Day laborer Moktar Hossain, who attended the program, said he had stopped after seeing the protest while visiting a relative’s house. He claimed his nephew was currently hospitalized with measles and questioned why vaccines had not been procured in time.

Others present at the human chain included social activist Farhana Afroze Runa, drama producer Rajib Hasan, activist Mofazzal Islam Rubel, and Hasib Sheikh.

The 10-Point Demands Raised at the Human Chain

1. Ensure investigation and justice over vaccine procurement failures and child deaths from measles.

2. Cancel the anti-public US trade agreement.

3. Conduct an impartial investigation and trial over the killings during the July 2024 quota reform movement.

4. Bring those involved in arson, looting, and mob violence under punishment.

5. Release political prisoners detained for political reasons.

6. Ensure the right of all political parties to conduct peaceful political activities.

7. Stop state interference in media freedom.

8. Withdraw increased prices of oil, gas, and electricity.

9. End political harassment through ICT courts.

10. Ensure the right to education for all students.

In their closing remarks, speakers warned that if the demands were not met immediately, tougher nationwide programs would be announced in the future. Following the human chain, protesters brought out a procession chanting slogans such as, “Why did our children die? Yunus, answer us,” and “Cancel the US slavery agreement.”

FP/MI