Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday reaffirmed his government's commitment to ensuring justice, recognition, and rehabilitation for those killed and injured during the July Mass Uprising, while calling for national unity and urging the nation to reject the politics of revenge.
Speaking as the chief guest at the July National Conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, he said the government would preserve the memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the movement and ensure those responsible were brought to justice.
The conference was jointly organized by the July-24 Martyrs' Family Society and the central executive committee of "Amra July Joddha."
"The government's sacred responsibility is to ensure proper recognition and rehabilitation of those who were martyred and injured during the July Mass Uprising," the prime minister said.
He added that the government remained committed to preserving the memory of the martyrs and the contributions of those injured by ensuring their families and participants in the movement received the highest level of respect, recognition, improved living standards, and comprehensive rehabilitation.
"The state will duly honor your sacrifices," he said. "Those responsible for killing your loved ones will certainly be brought to justice under the laws of this country."
The prime minister said political parties, non-political individuals, and ordinary citizens had all contributed to the success of the August 5 uprising, stressing that the judicial process must ensure fairness and justice.
"The authoritarian regime treated us unjustly. We must ensure that no one else suffers injustice in the name of justice," he said.
At one point during his speech, the prime minister became emotional as he recalled his mother.
"If I could ask my mother today whether she wanted me to seek revenge for the injustice done to her, I believe she would tell me to unite everyone and move the country forward. My brother would have given the same answer," he said.
Addressing members of the martyrs' families, he acknowledged the immense grief of those who had lost children, siblings, and other loved ones.
"I understand your pain and can truly feel it. From the authoritarian era through the July Movement, the physical and psychological suffering endured by many is something I also continue to carry," he said.
Highlighting the movement's objective of changing the nation's future, the prime minister said the achievements of August 5 did not belong to any individual or political party.
"This victory belongs to every pro-democracy citizen of the country. It is the result of the collective sacrifices of the people," he said.
Referring to United Nations data showing that 65 children were killed, he said: "They had committed no crime. They gave their lives to free the country from authoritarian rule."
Citing United Nations estimates, the prime minister said around 1,400 people had been killed during the movement. However, based on information from various sources, he believed the actual number was closer to 2,000, while around 30,000 others were affected in different ways.
Recalling the persecution faced by party leaders and activists under what he described as the fascist regime, he said the martyrs had dreamed of transforming the lives of the people and that achieving that vision required national unity.
"The pain of losing loved ones can never truly be healed. But if we can work together to move the country forward, one day you will be able to say with pride that your loved ones' sacrifices helped build a better future for the nation," he said.
"Our foremost commitment is to this country, its people, and its soil," the prime minister added. "The true way to honor the July martyrs and fighters is to fulfill their dreams. Let that be our pledge today."
At the beginning of the ceremony, the prime minister presented commemorative July Memorial Plaques to members of the martyrs' families. Representatives of the families later presented him with a commemorative plaque in return.
The event was chaired by Chief Whip of Parliament Nurul Islam Moni. Among those present were Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, Housing Minister Zakaria Taher, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ishraq Hossain, as well as other ministers, members of parliament, diplomats, and senior military and civilian officials.
During the conference, family members of those killed and participants injured during the July Movement shared their experiences and personal stories of loss, creating an emotional atmosphere as they remembered their loved ones.
