International news briefs
Indonesian students oppose fee increases
JAKARTA — Four hundred students demonstrated on February 2 at the University of Indonesia to protest against the proposed withdrawal of subsidies for student university fees. The action was organised by Big Family of the University of Indonesia (KBUI), an action committee affiliated to the National Student League for Democracy (LMND).
The proposal would result in a tripling of fees. The cancellation of the subsidy is related to the austerity measures demanded by the International Monetary Fund.
The day of the protest was also the university's 50th anniversary. The demonstrators attempted to occupy a building in which university management and academics were enjoying official celebrations. The students rallied outside the building for an hour, demanding that the state pay all education costs and chanting their opposition to the university's plans to reduce freedom of speech on campus.
Bangladesh general strike
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Dozens of demonstrators shouted anti-government slogans and bombs exploded in Bangladesh's capital on February 3, the second day of a two-day nationwide general strike to push for the repeal of a law aimed at curbing protests.
Two people were killed, 200 were injured and 50 were arrested during the strike.
The Public Safety Act, approved by parliament on January 30 in a session boycotted by the opposition, will be used to end the year-long campaign of strikes and public protests against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The new law restricts the courts' authority to release on bail anyone arrested for disrupting businesses, road and rail traffic, as well as for extortion and kidnapping. Offenders can be jailed for up to 14 years.