Families of martyrs express concerns over justice

Two months after the July coup, no significant trials have yet begun. The International Crimes Tribunal is moving slowly, and family members of the martyrs are skeptical about the prospect of justice.

At a rally organized by the Jatiya Nagorik Committee in Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Saturday (October 5) at 11 am, members of several martyrs' families voiced their concerns. The rally aimed to demand the trial of those responsible for the July killings, rehabilitation for the martyrs' families, medical treatment for the injured, improvements in law and order, and control over rising commodity prices.

Key figures at the rally included Nagorik Committee convener Nasir Uddin Patwary, member secretary Akhtar Hossain, and members Ariful Islam Adib, Sanjida Akhter Tuli, and Pritam Das.

Family members expressed their frustration over the lack of progress. Farhan Fayaz's father stated, "My son went to a peaceful protest and was shot and martyred. We didn't seek vengeance; we just wanted justice. We filed a case under the new government, but the International Crimes Tribunal is in disarray. The process is painfully slow, and we are skeptical about receiving justice."

Shahriar Islam Alvi's father added, "The allies of fascism are still roaming free. This government occupies its position at the expense of our sons' blood, yet they haven't consoled our family. We expected justice, but to this day, there isn't even a list of martyrs."

Nahidul Islam's brother recounted the tragedy: "Three people, including my brother, were shot dead in Mohammadpur. They attempted to set his body on fire, leaving it half burned. We demand justice."

Sanjida Akhter Tuli, a coordinator for the organization and a member of the citizens' committee, noted that no public inquiry commission has been established. "We had hoped for significant verdicts, but progress remains stalled. We also demand answers about the missing persons."

Speakers at the rally outlined several pressing demands, including addressing the ongoing price hikes, controlling unrest in the hills, rehabilitating martyrs' families, and ensuring proper treatment for the injured, as well as resolving the workers' movement in Ashulia.

Nagorik Committee convener Nasir Uddin Patwary criticized the government's response: "Rehabilitation efforts in Feni have not commenced, and the recent floods in North Bengal have worsened the situation. Government agencies are failing to act, police presence is lacking, and job notifications are still not being published, leaving the unemployed in distress."

"Politics is being played with the martyrs' memory," he continued. "I condemn the exploitation of their sacrifices for political gain. We urge political parties to genuinely understand the concerns of students and youth."

Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee and former social welfare secretary of Dhaka University, stated, "The people of Bangladesh have witnessed a continuity of genocide, and the trials for these crimes have yet to begin. We must urge the government to ensure that everyone responsible for these acts, whether they pulled the trigger or gave the orders, is brought to justice."

Ashraf Mahdi, also a member of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, remarked, "Following the July revolution and Bangladesh's second independence, a nefarious group has sought to destabilize the country. Fallen forces have aligned with them."

"Today, on behalf of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, we pledge to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to take strict legal action against anyone attempting to sabotage the 32,000 mandaps, utilizing surveillance and law enforcement support," he concluded.