Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Tuesday called for preparing a list of individuals who were victims of forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other forms of political repression during what she described as the fascist rule of the Awami League.
"Justice must be ensured for the oppression carried out during the Awami League administration," she said, joining a discussion virtually from Dhaka to mark the first anniversary of the July mass uprising.
She also called for the rehabilitation of victims in a befitting manner.
Khaleda Zia said the opportunity created through the July uprising must be utilised to institutionalise democracy, generate employment, and ensure public safety.
She alleged that over the past 16 years, the Awami League government had destroyed the country's democratic structure and attempted to impose a one-party rule through killings, forced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and suppression of dissent.
"We must not forget the sacrifices made by the victims of the July uprising," she said, urging the people to stay united in the ideology of Ziaur Rahman and work towards realising his vision for Bangladesh.
The discussion event, titled "Mass Uprising 2024: National Unity and Democratic Journey", was held at the China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
Representatives of most political parties that opposed the Hasina regime joined the event and spoke.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman joined the event from London, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended as a special guest. Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi presided over the programme. Families of those killed during the July-August uprising also took part in the discussion and demanded justice and trial of those responsible. Many expressed frustration over the lack of progress in investigations, despite the presence of CCTV footage and involvement of state security agencies.
Speaking at the event, Tarique Rahman criticised the proposal for a Proportional Representation (PR) voting system, warning it could pave the way for the return of a fallen authoritarian regime. "All political parties must reconsider the proposed PR system, as it risks plunging the country into a new crisis," he said.
He called for a broader national unity among pro-democracy parties, stating that unity must be based on shared commitment to democracy, sovereignty, and national interest, regardless of differences.
Leaders of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other parties echoed the call for political unity against what they described as the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina.
The father of Abrar Fahad -- the BUET student who was beaten to death by Chhatra League activists -- also spoke at the event. He recalled his son's killing and said, "Abrar's only fault was that he loved his country and stood against foreign aggression."
The sister of Farhan Faiyaz, another victim of the July uprising, said, "Our victory will not be sustained if we lose unity. We demand justice for the atrocities committed by the fascist Hasina regime."
nsrafsanju@gmail.com