The last 15 years have left a deep scar on our family. Yet we continue to walk because our pain is nothing to the helplessness of millions of families in Bangladesh. Many more families have lived through unimaginable mental, physical, and financial suffering. Thousands of families have been thrown into oppression, fear, and tragedy. I have seen killings, disappearances, and arbitrary detentions at Hasina's behest. I saw fear and helplessness. Our experiences are just numbers to some, but for us, it's the reality that completely changed our lives.
Then came July 2024 -- I can still hear the echo of gunfire; I can see helicopters in my dreams. I can hear Mughdho’s voice. Yemin's memory -- body still warm, I saw, when his head was trying to rise, he was picked up again and thrown aside. Is life really so cheap? Even a little girl, playing on the roof, lost her little life in the shooting.
Every day I see the boys, no hands, no legs, lost vision. We can't work properly. But is this how it goes?
Starting with the truth
How do we heal this nation? It is a huge challenge to come out of this trauma, both individually and collectively. I hope that we get justice for the entire nation. Victims need to be heard. They need to be rehabilitated. And that alone can help us get out of this trauma.
Let the police officer explain who targeted Abu Sayeed and what was going on in his mind. He should say it in front of Sayeed's father. What were their orders that day? Who gave that order? In July, a policeman's son was shot in the chest by the police. "How many bullets does it take to kill a boy, sir?" he cried out to his superior. Who gave the order to kill the boy?
Where is Ilyas Ali? Let the officer who stopped Ilyas's car on his superior's orders tell us who gave that order and what happened that night. He should speak in front of Luna. I don’t know if the officer will feel regret or if Luna will be able to forgive him, but this is about telling the truth, listening, and freeing us all. We will be stronger.
We need justice, truth, and reconciliation, and we must start the process now. It will take many years, but we must begin.
Justice is not just about punishment; it is the foundation for our healing. It will reveal the truths that have been hidden for too long. This is the path we must walk together.
Justice is not an abstract idea; it is vital for the healing of victims, their families, and society. Those who commit serious crimes must be held accountable to uphold the rule of law. These trials not only punish wrongdoings but also build public trust in the justice system and help prevent future crimes.
Confronting the past
We need to ask ourselves -- as citizens and as a nation -- what do we want to be? We aspire to create an inclusive state that belongs to every citizen. This cannot happen without confronting the long history of fear, pain, and crime. The beginning and end of each incident must involve the perpetrator standing in front of the victim. The truth, justice, and reconciliation process can help facilitate this necessary dialogue.
If we want to rebuild the social structure of Bangladesh, we need initiatives like this; we need mental and psychological healing. This healing is an ongoing journey for both individuals and the collective. Reconciliation is the responsibility of the entire nation, which requires acknowledging past injustices and ongoing inequalities.
There is a lot of unrest all around us. We are standing on ruins. Nothing beautiful can emerge from this destruction until the whole nation hears and understands the stories of the past with open hearts and minds and commits to moving forward.
A commission for peace
So why am I talking about the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC)? I say this because only the courage to speak and listen to the truth can truly liberate a nation.
The purpose of the commission should be multifaceted, aimed at addressing past human rights violations comprehensively while promoting accountability, legal process, justice, reconciliation, and prevention of future abuses.
First and foremost, the commission must investigate all human rights violations between 2009 and August 2024. This investigation should focus on identifying the scale, nature, and context of these crimes, thereby creating a detailed and nuanced understanding of the violations that took place.
It should conduct public hearings and investigations into mass killings in July-August 2024, specific incidents of killings, enforced disappearances, and other serious human rights violations. This process will involve gathering evidence through testimonies, documentation, and collaboration with political parties, NGOs, and civil society organizations.
A comprehensive account of individual and collective violations must be compiled, including relevant background information about victims and the circumstances of their experiences, ensuring that their voices are heard and their stories preserved.
In terms of accountability, the commission's role should involve confirming the identities of those responsible for human rights violations, including high-ranking officials such as the supreme leader. If confirmed, the commission should recommend legal action against these individuals. Justice must be served.
Additionally, it is vital to assess whether the violations were state-sanctioned or resulted from systemic failures within the political framework, as this distinction will inform the appropriate responses and reforms necessary to prevent future violations. It is crucial to set up tribunals to ensure due process and legal accountability for serious crimes. Both high-level and low-level offenders should be addressed through coordinated efforts, allowing for a fair legal process.
Reconciliation is another critical area of focus for the commission. Efforts should be made to rehabilitate victims of violence. Trauma counselling should also be an essential component of the reconciliation process, enabling victims to process their experiences and begin to heal.
Compensation for victims is an integral aspect of the commission's mandate as well. The commission should propose a framework for compensation that acknowledges the suffering endured by victims and restores their dignity. The commission should assess victims' needs, determining appropriate compensation and addressing their post-conflict socioeconomic challenges. Compensation can be both personal -- such as financial aid, healthcare, and educational support -- and collective, encompassing community infrastructure and memorials to honour the victims.
The commission should also oversee applications for amnesty for low level offenders only when the victim agrees, determining eligibility based on established criteria related to political activity. For lower-level offenders, community-based restorative justice initiatives, could be implemented. This would encourage a truthful recounting of human rights violations and foster respectful communication between victims and offenders.
Looking ahead, the commission should compile detailed reports that articulate its findings and recommendations. These reports should address suggested measures for the compensation and rehabilitation of victims and outline necessary institutional reforms aimed at safeguarding against future human rights violations. Through these efforts, the committee can contribute to a comprehensive approach to justice, accountability, and healing in the wake of significant human rights challenges.
By addressing the systemic issues that contributed to past violations, the commission can help create a foundation for a more just and equitable society.
Justice is about understanding the truth of past events and giving voice to those who have suffered. For the victims impacted by state violence in last 15 years, establishing a TJRC is crucial for their recovery. They deserve recognition for their struggles and a pathway to justice that acknowledges their pain.
Moreover, a TJRC allows Bangladesh to reclaim its identity as a progressive democracy, honouring its history of inclusivity. As we consider the future, let’s remember we must bring the truth to light -- every story, every life lost, every family shattered. We need to talk about who benefited under the regime while our lives fell apart. It’s time to reckon with the past and resolve to build a future where dignity and justice prevail. Through shared experiences, we can find strength. Community gatherings, public forums, and meaningful dialogues can help rebuild trust and nurture a sense of belonging. Addressing emotional scars is as important as dealing with the physical aftermath of oppression. Therapy and counselling tailored to those impacted by political turmoil will help us navigate grief and trauma.
Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. We can choose to remain in the shadows of division or move into the light of justice, accountability and healing. The stakes are high, but the rewards greatly outweigh the risks. We must not let history repeat itself.
Hasina has fled. Are we free yet?
Nelson Mandela once said: “The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.”
Let us start the journey today.
Dr Shamaruh Mirza is a medical scientist in Australia. Outside her professional work, she is a passionate advocate for social justice and democracy, known for her impactful activism with SiTara's Story and the Diaspora Alliance for Democracy. She has been awarded many awards including the 2023 ACT Local hero in the Australian of the Years program. Through her work, Dr Mirza seeks to amplify marginalized voices and create platforms for dialogue within migrant and diaspora communities. Dr Shamaruh thanks Ashraful Hasan, Social Innovation Consultant, Canada, for information about current and previous TRCs in the world.