PM urges all parties to remain vigilant against oppression in name of justice

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the dream of those killed and tortured during the July mass uprising was to establish justice in the country, and urged all political and non-political parties to remain vigilant that the justice process itself does not become a tool of injustice or oppression against anyone.

He made the appeal as chief guest at a memorial event for those killed in the July uprising, held at the China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on Saturday (July 4) .

The prime minister said that while the trials may take some time, the government will proceed patiently to ensure the actual perpetrators are brought under the law and given proper justice.

He said his government does not want any trial process to be questionable, adding that all legal procedures will be followed in delivering justice.

Noting that estimates of the death toll from the July uprising vary, Tarique Rahman said his own count puts the number of dead at at least 2,000, with more than 30,000 injured. He added that, according to United Nations figures, 60 children were killed during the movement.

Pledging proper recognition for the sacrifices of those who gave their lives to free the country from what he called fascism, the prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring justice for every killing under existing law.

He also referenced torture, enforced disappearances, arrests and false cases under the previous government, claiming that nearly 6 million BNP leaders and activists had been forced to stay away from their homes for extended periods due to false cases filed against them.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Engineer Ishraq Hossain presided over the event. Special guests included Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Sumon, Law Minister Asaduzzaman, and Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Nurul Islam Moni.