Two months after the July revolution, the trial process for the victims has seen little progress, leaving the families of those killed sceptical about justice. The slow pace at the International Crimes Tribunal has deepened their concerns.
Family members of the deceased voiced their frustrations at a rally organized by the Jatiya Nagorik Committee at Shahbagh in the capital on Saturday.
The rally, which began around 11am, was held to demand justice for the killings in July, rehabilitation for the victims' families, medical treatment for the injured, improvement in law and order, and control of the rising cost of essential goods.
Present at the rally were Nagorik Committee Convener Nasir Uddin Patwary, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, and members Ariful Islam Adib, Sanjida Akhter Tuli, and Pritam Das, among others.
Family members of the deceased expressed doubt about whether the tribunal would deliver justice. Many have already filed cases with the International Crimes Tribunal but are disheartened by the lack of progress.
"My son joined a peaceful movement. He was shot and died," said the father of victim Farhan Fayaz. "Under the new government, we filed a case. But the tribunal is in disarray, and the investigation is moving slowly. We doubt whether we will see justice."
Shahriar Islam Alvi’s father added: "Fascism’s allies are still roaming freely. This government came into power through the blood of our sons, but they have yet to offer us any consolation. We hoped for justice, but they haven’t even compiled a list of the deceased."
Nahidul Islam’s brother recounted the tragic death of his sibling: "My brother and two others were shot dead in Mohammadpur on the afternoon of July 5. They tried to set his body on fire. He was half burned. We demand justice."
Sanjida Akhter Tuli, a coordinator of the organization and a member of the citizens' committee, expressed frustration: "No public inquiry commission has been formed yet. We had hoped to see some significant verdicts by now."
Nagorik Committee Convener Nasir Uddin Patwary criticized the lack of government action in other areas as well, saying: "Flood-affected areas in Feni have yet to see rehabilitation efforts. Government agencies are absent, and the police have not arrived. Job notifications remain unpublished, leaving the unemployed in despair."
He condemned political parties for exploiting the tragedy for political gain, saying: "Politics is being done at the expense of the deceased. We urge political parties to understand the needs of students and youths rather than taking political mileage."
Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee and former social welfare secretary of Dhaka University, called for accountability: "The people of Bangladesh have witnessed a continuity of genocide, yet the trials have not begun. The government must ensure that everyone responsible — those who fired the bullets and those who gave the orders — are brought to justice."
Ashraf Mahdi, another member of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, warned of attempts to destabilize the country: "After the July revolution and Bangladesh’s second independence, a malicious group has been trying to disrupt the nation. Some fallen forces have joined them."
He added: "On behalf of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, we pledge to work with law enforcement agencies to take strict legal action against anyone attempting to sabotage the 32,000 mandaps through close surveillance and the assistance of law enforcement."