Seventy-four eminent citizens have demanded fair investigations into the killings of students and citizens during the quota reform protests under the United Nations (UN).
In a statement issued on Monday, the eminent citizens urged the government to hold the actual perpetrators of violence accountable, regardless of their positions or political affiliations.
"Investigations must be conducted into every incident where ordinary students, peace-loving citizens, teenagers, and even children were killed, tortured, or injured by the police, RAB, other forces, or government-backed armed private individuals. For the sake of conducting these investigations transparently, fairly, impartially, and independently, it is imperative that they are overseen by a high-level expert team from the UN. The actual perpetrators, regardless of their high-ranking positions or political affiliations, must be held accountable according to the law," it said.
From the beginning, the government has tried to label this completely peaceful and non-political student movement as a conspiracy by political opponents, and their opponents have similarly tried to exploit the student movement for their own political gain under the guise of solidarity. We condemn any form of unprincipled politics behind the murder of students and civilians and the destruction of public property.
At least two hundred people have died due to the use of force by the government, and thousands have been seriously injured. Most of these are students from public and private universities, colleges, and schools, as well as ordinary working people. There are also members of law enforcement among the injured and dead, as well as journalists, it added.
The statement further said: “We are particularly concerned because we suspect that the actual number of casualties due to the attacks by government forces and affiliated organisations is much higher and more horrific than we know, a fact obscured by the government's monopoly over the internet and media.”
Regarding the armoured vehicles bearing the UN logo deployed on the streets, it said: “We have also noted with profound sorrow that armoured vehicles bearing the UN logo were deployed on the streets to suppress peaceful civilian protests, the Army and border security forces were mobilised, a curfew was imposed with orders to shoot on sight, and sound grenades and, reportedly, gunfire were used from helicopters, which is unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh.”
“During this movement, several state institutions, establishments, and assets have been damaged due to destructive activities, which are in no way justifiable. We demand that those responsible for these acts of sabotage be identified through a fair and impartial investigation and punished according to the law.
“However, using this as an excuse to oppress people with different opinions or harass the citizens is not at all justifiable. It has been reported in the media that the government did not take appropriate measures to prevent these acts of sabotage, and in some cases, the state forces played the role of silent spectators,” it added.
It is crucial to conduct a thorough investigation into their role and disclose it to the public.
The statement also said: “We are extremely angered that the police have filed cases of sabotage against thousands of unnamed individuals and arrested thousands without investigating the loss of life, attacks on students and civilians, and shootings. Among these, there are numerous accusations involving innocent civilians, students, or their family members.”
Expressed anger over the incident where several coordinators and activists of the student movement have been physically tortured after being taken from their homes. Later, they were taken into police custody from hospitals, which is highly undesirable and oppressive. Media reports also indicate that police, RAB, and other forces have created immense fear and terror among the public, families, and the youth through "block raids" and indiscriminate arrests, complicating and destabilising the situation further.
“In such a crisis situation, we present our urgent demands to the government for the greater good of the country, to ensure a safe and educational environment in educational institutions for the future of students. At the same time, we call upon the citizens to rise above party affiliations and play an active and responsible role,” it added.
Due to these tragic killings, those who have been killed or seriously injured deserve national mourning with appropriate honours declared by the state. The government must immediately disclose the actual number, names, and identities of all the people, students, and teenagers who have been killed, injured, or affected from the beginning of this incident, it added.
The statement was signed by human rights activists Sultana Kamal, Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Hameeda Hossain, Khushi Kabir, Rasheda K Choudhury; Economists Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Prof Anu Muhammad, and Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, among others.
