PM: Justice for Anti-Fascist Movement Killings Will Be Transparent and Impartial

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday reaffirmed that all those responsible for the killings during the anti-fascist movement will face transparent, impartial and credible trials in accordance with the due process of law.

“The perpetrators of the anti-fascist movement killings will be brought to justice through transparent, impartial and credible legal proceedings. The government believes that ensuring justice for every crime is essential to upholding the rule of law,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled ‘July-36’ after inaugurating the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum at Ganabhaban in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.

He also announced that the government will name institutions after those who were martyred or became victims of enforced disappearance, killings and other forms of violence over the past 17 years, including during the July Mass Uprising.

“An institution in the respective locality will be named after every individual who embraced martyrdom or fell victim to enforced disappearance or killing during the past 17 years and the July movement,” he said.

Referring to the newly inaugurated July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, Tarique Rahman said it should serve as a symbol of the nation's democratic struggle rather than promote the narrative of any individual, political group or party.

“The 2024 mass uprising did not belong to any one person, group or political party. The real heroes of the movement are the democratic people of Bangladesh,” he said.

Drawing a historical parallel, the Prime Minister said the 1971 Liberation War secured Bangladesh’s independence, while the 2024 mass uprising was fought to protect that independence and preserve the freedom of its people.

“Just as the nation continues to honour the freedom fighters of 1971, it will always remember those who sacrificed their lives in 2024 to defend the country and the liberty of its people,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate and former Chief Adviser of the immediate past interim government, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, on Tuesday paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the July Mass Uprising, describing it as a defining chapter in Bangladesh’s pursuit of justice, democratic values and the rights of its people.

“July stands as a defining chapter in the struggle for the rights of the people, justice and democratic aspirations. In our collective memory, July is a long month—36 days long. It reminds us of the extraordinary unity and determination with which the nation stood together against injustice,” he said in a statement issued on the eve of July Mass Uprising Day.

Prof. Yunus also paid his deepest respects to the martyrs of the uprising and expressed profound gratitude to those who were injured, lost their eyesight or were left permanently disabled during the movement.