July Uprising Victims Families Demand Justice and Recognition Amid Growing Disillusionment with Transition Process
Families of those killed during the July uprising in Bangladesh gathered at the National Museum in Dhaka on Monday, expressing profound grief and mounting frustration over what they describe as a lack of recognition and justice for their loved ones. The event, titled "The Tears of July, the Debt of the Nation," was organized by the State Dialogue Forum (SDF) to address the ongoing struggles of bereaved families and those injured during the mass protests.
Rufayda Islam, daughter of slain protester Monirul Islam, questioned why political factions and national leaders have failed to acknowledge the sacrifices of individuals beyond the most prominent figures of the movement. Recounting the death of her father, who was shot in Mirpur after evening prayers on July 19, she criticized the silence of major political entities, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens Party (NCP). She urged the current administration to formalize the "July Charter," arguing that without it, the families lack official recognition and international standing.
The emotional toll of the uprising was echoed by Mosammat Shahina Begum, mother of Sajjad Hossain, who shared the haunting final words of her son. She recalled how he had instructed her to identify his body using his ID card should he become a martyr. While his remains were severely burned, the ID card survived, allowing the family to claim him. Shahina Begum expressed deep disillusionment with the transition of power, suggesting that the hopes placed in previous interim leadership were left unfulfilled as key issues—such as the identification of burial sites and the formal gazetting of the injured—remain unresolved.
Demanding accountability, Shahina Begum rejected the notion of state-provided material compensation, such as homes or vehicles, in exchange for justice. She directly challenged political leaders to either expedite the extradition and prosecution of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or hand the accused over to the families of the victims to face public retribution. Her sentiment was shared by Rakibul Islam, father of martyr Rameez Uddin, who demanded the government guarantee medical treatment for the injured, implement a comprehensive judicial process for all killings, and seek public mandates through a referendum.
As the discussion turned to the future, Asaduzzaman Fuad, General Secretary of the My Bangladesh (AB) Party, proposed that the state enact legislation to categorize the disparagement of the July movement and the promotion of fascist ideologies as criminal offenses. He called for a robust, long-term rehabilitation scheme, advocating for lifelong pensions and structured support for families who lost their primary breadwinners, asserting that the nation has a moral obligation to ensure these families are not left to face their trauma in isolation.
