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Bangla | Wednesday | 19 March 2025 | Epaper
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Fair trial for July murderers must be ensured 

Published : Thursday, 20 February, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 567
Motaher Hossain
The student-popular movement known as the "July Uprising" was a democratic mass upheaval in Bangladesh that took place from July to August 5, 2024. This mass movement or uprising resulted in the martyrdom of approximately 1,500 people, including students, children, teenagers, young men and women, workers, as well as leaders, activists, and supporters of various political parties involved in the protests. Initially, the movement began as a demand to abolish the quota system in government jobs, but it quickly escalated into a one-point demand for the government's downfall.

The Sheikh Hasina-led government ignored the students' demands and did not engage in discussions with the movement's leadership. Instead, the government resorted to medieval-style suppression by using batons, bullets, and tear gas, leading to a brutal massacre. This created a new, disgraceful precedent not just in Bangladesh but globally. As a result of the students' sacrifices, the 16.5-year-long autocratic rule came to an end, and with Sheikh Hasina's flight from the country, the anti-discrimination movement achieved a grand victory.

The historical victory of this revolution was initially rooted in the demand for abolishing the quota system in government jobs. The movement did not originally intend to be an anti-government or regime-toppling movement, as stated by several coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement in recent media interviews. However, due to the indiscriminate killing of protesters by government forces, the movement gradually transformed into one demanding the government's fall. The government's increasingly repressive stance intensified the protests, culminating in its final phase on August 5, 2024. Following the massacre of nearly 1,500 people, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India, ending her long tenure as Prime Minister.

In this situation, an interim government was formed on August 8, led by Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus. With the commencement of this government, a nationwide demand emerged for the trial of the 'July Massacre' as a crime against humanity. To commemorate August 5 in national history, it was designated as "36th July", symbolizing a pivotal day of struggle. There were widespread calls to bring those responsible-fallen Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Awami League General Secretary and former Minister Obaidul Quader, former Law Minister Anisul Haque, former Prime Minister's Advisor on Private Industry and Commerce Salman F. Rahman, former ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and former Information State Minister Mohammad Arafat-to justice for crimes against humanity.

Given that the massacre constituted an international crime against humanity, an "International Crimes Tribunal for Crimes Against Humanity" was established under the existing laws of the country, adapting to international legal frameworks. Before the formation of the interim government, on August 5, Bangladesh's Army Chief, General Waqar-uz-Zaman, addressed the nation, announcing the formation of an interim government and urging people to remain calm while ensuring all crimes would be investigated. The primary demand of the nation and the students was for the trial of the July massacre.

Upon assuming the role of Chief Advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed the commitment to prosecuting those responsible for the July-August genocide and crimes against humanity. To facilitate this, existing laws were amended to form an International Crimes Tribunal, ensuring a fair and transparent trial process.

Special emphasis was given to setting up separate court buildings, judge panels, and a dedicated prosecution team, including international legal experts, to maintain the highest standards of justice. The interim government also committed to concluding several major cases before the next general elections.

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, expressed optimism about expediting the trials, stating that crucial evidence, documents, and testimonies were being collected. Notably, legal expert Professor Asif Nazrul indicated that verdicts in 3-4 major cases related to the July Massacre were expected by October 2025.

The United Nations Human Rights Organization conducted an investigation and recently published a report detailing the crimes against humanity committed in Bangladesh in July-August 2024. Their findings documented instances of enforced disappearances, killings, secret detention centers, and medieval-style torture. The investigation team submitted the report to the Chief Advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who acknowledged it as a significant international recognition of the massacre. He emphasized that this report would strengthen the tribunal's credibility and prevent any attempts to delegitimize the trial on the global stage.

So far, over 300 cases have been filed at the International Crimes Tribunal, with investigations ongoing in 16 cases. Prominent figures under trial include: Anisul Haque (Former Law Minister),Salman F. Rahman (Former Advisor on Private Industry and Commerce), Hasanul Haque Inu (JSD President), Rashed Khan Menon (Workers' Party President),Advocate Kamrul Islam (Former Law Minister),Kamal Ahmed Mojumder (Former State Minister for Industry), Shajahan Khan (Former Minister of Shipping & Transport Leader),Zunaid Ahmed Palak (Former ICT State Minister),Sadhan Chandra Majumder (Former Food Minister),Dr. Md. Abdur Razzaq (Former Agriculture Minister), Major Ziaul Ahsan (Former Director at National Telecommunication Monitoring Center - NTMC)Ziaul Ahsan played a crucial role in shutting down the internet during the July massacre, enabling indiscriminate firing on students. He was a key technical mastermind in suppressing the movement.

The Prosecution Team has committed to speedy justice, stating that while previous trials during the Awami League's tenure took 2.5 years per case, the current tribunal aims to deliver verdicts within one year. 2025 has been declared the "Year of Justice for the July Massacre, Enforced Disappearances, and Killings."

Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has emphasized that justice must not be rushed at the expense of fairness, ensuring that no misjudgment or misunderstanding occurs. The tribunal aims to uphold transparency and adhere to international judicial standards, reinforcing its legitimacy worldwide.

The expectations remain high that the trials will be conducted with absolute fairness and without political bias. The focus is on ensuring justice for the victims while maintaining international legal standards. The July massacre trials stand as a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's history, with the hope that the sacrifices of those who lost their lives will not be in vain.

The writer is a Journalist, General Secretary - Bangladesh Climate Journalist Forum



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