Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Fayzul Karim outlined a seven-point demand at a press conference held at the party's central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, on Tuesday.
“The era of autocracy is over. Now it is time to rebuild the nation,” Fayzul Karim said.
He emphasized the need to identify and expose enemies of the state to prevent their return in the future.
The Demands
The first demand of IAB is to make an acceptable investigation commission and independent tribunal to bring justice for the July massacre.
Besides, the trial has to be done for the political and bureaucratic killings, enforced disappearance and human rights violations of the last 16 years.
IAB demanded people and parties found guilty of these crimes be banned from political and electoral activities.
IAB also demanded the seizure of properties belonging to corrupt individuals and those who laundered money abroad, with the assets being transferred to the state. Those in power must account for their wealth.
Employees of the state including law enforcement agencies, administration, and justice divisions who broke the law, constitution, and oath and acted unprofessionally need to be brought under justice.
No decision should be made which hurts the thoughts, cognition, and feelings of the religious majority.
The election commission needs to be reorganized and a proportionally represented election needs to be held.
They also demanded a national education commission which includes Islamic scholars and patriot educators to make up for the loss of the last 16 years in the educational sector.
The party also demanded that village police be nationalized to ensure they receive respectable salaries and benefits.
Attack on Minorities
Fayzul Karim also said that people who attacked the minority are not the protesters but the opportunity seekers.
He requested the interim government to take strict steps against them.
He also requested installing close-circuit cameras in religious establishments to ensure safety.
He said: “Islam and the state laws do not support attacking or making someone opponent in the name of religion.”
To achieve their demands, IAB will conduct grassroots responsive conferences in every district from August 21 to August 31 and mass rally on every Thana from September 1 to September 10.
IAB’s Secretary General Principal Hafez Maulana Yunus Ahmad, presidium member Professor Mahbubur Rahman, Senior Joint Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, Alhaj Aminul Islam and KM Atiqur Rahman were also present at the press conference.
