Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has reiterated his commitment to ensure justice for the victims and injured in the July mass uprising. He said that those involved in the July killings will be tried in the name of justice, not injustice in the name of justice.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the ‘July 24 Martyrs Family Society’ and ‘July July Warriors’ at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Saturday morning.
The prime minister said it is the responsibility of the state to properly assess the sacrifices of the martyrs and the injured in the July mass uprising. It is also important to ensure justice for the crimes committed against them.
“Those who did wrong and those involved in the killing must be brought to justice. We don’t want another justice to happen in the name of justice. Justice must be just and on the basis of law.”
Tarique Rahman said those who gave their lives will not come back, but their sacrifices will not be allowed to go in vain. He called for the creation of a Bangladesh where people’s rights, justice and non-discriminatory societies will be ensured.
According to the United Nations, 65 children and about one thousand 400 people lost their lives in the July movement. He said that this sacrifice has further strengthened the expectations of the people of the country based on justice and democratic state.
He said many mothers had seen their children being shot, some had lost their children or their brother. This pain is not in words.
Rejecting the politics of revenge, the prime minister said she does not believe in revenge. Rather, the people of the country will be the biggest response to injustice.
“The achievement of August 5th is not an individual, party or group. This is a collective achievement of the democratic and peace-loving people of Bangladesh.”
Addressing the BNP leaders, Tarique Rahman said they have the courage to leave. He urged the party workers to give the country’s top priority.
Finally, he urged all to abandon the politics of division and take an oath to build a united Bangladesh.
Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan and law minister Md. Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Sumon, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain, PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Ruman, Cabinet members, MPs, diplomats, military and civil officials were present.
The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Later in July, a special prayer was held to seek forgiveness of the souls of the martyrs.