Families of those killed during the July Uprising are demanding that Sheikh Hasina be sentenced to death

Families of those killed during the July Uprising have called for the death penalty for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the ongoing war crimes trial linked to the events of July 2024.

They made the demand on Monday while speaking to journalists outside the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka.

Syed Gaziur Rahman, father of slain student Syed Muntasir Rahman, said the atrocities committed during the uprising were “beyond forgiveness,” insisting that the former premier must face a “severe and exemplary punishment.”

“For the crimes of enforced disappearances and killings, even fourteen thousand executions wouldn’t suffice. But a person can be executed only once. My demand is for a public execution so the nation can find closure,” he said.

He added that his 14-year-old son, who had recently secured an A+ in science in the Dakhil exams, was shot dead in Jatrabari. “I believed he would stand against injustice… the nation has lost a piece of gold. Who else will make such a sacrifice?” he said.

Asked about the feasibility of enforcing a verdict against the former premier, who is currently outside Bangladesh, Rahman said, “Why wouldn’t it be possible to bring her back? Other countries are not giving her visas. When their interests end, even India will not shelter her. We want her execution to be carried out during the tenure of this government.”

Abu Bakar Siddique, father of martyr Hafizul Sikder, reiterated the same demand. He said his son was killed on 20 July last year at the Post Office intersection in Badda.

“Just sentencing her is not enough. She must be brought back from India and the verdict must be enforced. The pain of losing a son—no one else can understand,” he said, adding that the families want the execution to be held publicly “on Bangladeshi soil” for justice and closure.

The International Crimes Tribunal is set to deliver its verdict in the case on Monday. The prosecution has brought five charges of crimes against humanity against the three accused, including Sheikh Hasina, relating to killings, arson, and alleged instigation during the July events.