Diplomats seek end to Bangladesh unrest as Zia misses court

Bangladeshi police stand guard at a special court where a trial against former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Khaleda Zia is taking place in Dhaka on March 4, 2015. -

The unrest began at the beginning of the year when two-time former leader Zia called her supporters to try to enforce a nationwide transport blockade in an effort to topple current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and pave the way for new polls.

Violence unleashed by the protests has so far left at least 108 people dead, many of them victims of firebomb attacks on buses and trucks carried out by opposition hardliners in a bid to enforce the blockade.

The United Nations and the European Union, Dhaka’s top export destination, have called for a dialogue to resolve the crisis. But Hasina has ruled out talks with Zia, saying polls will not be held before 2019.

The statement from the diplomats came ahead of Wednesday’s resumption of hearings in a corruption trial against Zia in the capital.

Zia failed to appear, even though a court last week issued an arrest warrant against her for not attending earlier hearings. Authorities have so far made no attempt to execute the warrant.

Lawyers and aides of the BNP leader say Zia cannot attend as she is being confined to her office by security forces who are posted outside, and also say she has no confidence in the court.