The conviction reinforces that no one is beyond the reach of the law, the Chief Adviser said

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said Bangladesh will confront the challenges ahead with both courage and humility, noting that the country is once again aligning itself with global standards of accountability.

“With our commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and the potential of every individual, justice in Bangladesh will not only endure — it will thrive,” he said, adding that the nation’s courts have spoken with a clarity that resonates at home and abroad.

In his statement, Prof Yunus said the convictions and sentences handed down reaffirm a core principle: no one, no matter how powerful, stands above the law.

“This judgment brings crucial, though still incomplete, justice to the thousands who suffered during the July–August 2024 uprising, and to the families who continue to bear that pain,” he said.

Prof Yunus said the country stands at a crucial point as it works to rebuild democratic institutions weakened by years of repression.

He said the crimes examined in the trial — the use of lethal force against young people and children armed only with their voices — violated both national laws and the fundamental relationship between the state and its citizens.

“These acts shocked the nation’s conscience and offended Bangladesh’s deepest values: dignity, resilience, and a commitment to justice,” the Chief Adviser said.

“Some 1,400 lives were lost. They were not numbers on a page, but students, parents, and ordinary citizens whose rights were denied. Months of testimony revealed how lethal force, even from helicopters, was deployed against unarmed protesters,” he said.

According to Prof Yunus, the verdict acknowledges their suffering and demonstrates that the justice system will hold those responsible to account.

He said Bangladesh is now re-entering the global tide of accountability. “The students and citizens who demanded change understood this, and many gave their lives — sacrificing their today for our tomorrow,” he said.

Prof Yunus added that the road ahead demands more than legal accountability: it requires rebuilding trust between citizens and institutions.

“Recognising why people were willing to risk everything for true representation — and creating institutions deserving of that trust — is vital. Today’s verdict marks one step forward on that path,” he said.