National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday urged the government to implement the verdict of the referendum and implement promises of state reform, saying this would demonstrate its commitment to the aspirations of the July mass uprising.
After paying tribute at the mass grave of martyrs of 2024 uprising at Rayerbazar, Nahid said merely observing the anniversary would not be enough unless the promises of justice and reform are fulfilled.
"The government has to prove that it stands with the July Uprising by implementing the reforms demanded by people and executing the referendum verdict," he said.
He said July 1 marked the beginning of the historic uprising and that the party has started its observance by visiting the martyrs' mass grave at Rayerbazar.
Nahid said that although the uprising took place two years ago, the country has yet to achieve the discrimination-free and democratic Bangladesh envisioned by its participants.
Referring to a recent verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal, he said the judgment has failed to satisfy the people or the families of the martyrs and injured.
He criticised the sentence given to Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) President Hasanul Haq Inu, alleging that he had actively supported the July killings as an ally of the Awami League-led alliance.
"We do not think the sentence of 10 years in each of the three cases is enough," Nahid said, urging the state to appeal against the verdict and seek the maximum punishment.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the slow pace of investigations and trials related to the July killings, saying only two verdicts have been delivered since the current government assumed office.
Nahid called for the speedy completion of all pending trials and demanded that those accused of involvement in the July killings, including Sheikh Hasina and the killers of Osman Hadi be brought back to Bangladesh to face justice.
He also demanded the implementation of the death sentence against Sheikh Hasina once all legal procedures are completed.
Nahid urged the government to fulfil its commitments to the families of the martyrs and injured by ensuring financial assistance and rehabilitation for the July fighters.