United News of Bangladesh

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Wednesday (November 26) released the full text of its 453-page judgment that convicted and sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July Mass Uprising. International Crimes Tribunal Prosecutor Mizanul Islam confirmed that the prosecution has received a full copy of the verdict. “The registrar will decide when the copy of the verdict will be sent to the concerned department,” he said. Meanwhile, Zayed Bin Amjad, lawyer for former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun—who was sentenced to five years in prison in the same case—said he has also received a copy of the full verdict. State-appointed defence lawyer Md Amir Hossain, who represented Sheikh Hasina and Kamal, said he has not received any copy due to the absence of legal provision allowing it. As the two accused remain absconding, they will not have the opportunity to appeal, he added. BNP hails Hasina’s death sentence verdict, says justice served On November 17, the tribunal delivered the judgment against the three, finding them guilty on the charges brought forward. The three-member tribunal, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, began announcing the verdict at around 12:30pm, unveiling the 453-page document. Five charges had initially been brought against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina for allegedly ordering crimes against humanity during the July–August mass student uprising. The tribunal evaluated these allegations and proceeded with the trial. The charges were later reorganized into two broad charges, under which the accused were found guilty of a total of six offences. Prosecutor Gazi M. H. Tamim said the tribunal’s verdict considered two consolidated charges, within which six distinct crimes were established. The court found the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal guilty of three counts under charge number one. Count-1: Inciting crimes through provocative speech at a press briefing on July 14, 2024, where she labelled protesters as children of Razakars. Count-2: On the night of July 14, 2024, she had a telephonic conversation with the then vice-chancellor of the University of Dhaka, Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, where she again termed the protesters as Razakars and threatened to hang them. The tribunal found the accused had ordered and incited the violence that followed and did not obstruct their subordinates from committing the crimes. Count-3: Following that, police shot and killed Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) student Abu Sayeed. Read more: Dhaka writes to Delhi afresh seeking Hasina’s extradition The tribunal sentenced both Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to imprisonment unto death for three counts of charge number one. It also found them guilty of three counts of charge number two. Count-1: Ordering the deployment of helicopters, drones and lethal weapons against protesters, which was proved in the telephonic conversation of Sheikh Hasina with Hasanul Haque Inu. Count-2: Following the order, six unarmed students were gunned down in the capital's Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024. Count-3: Six protesters were gunned down in Ashulia on August 5, 2024, and their bodies were burned to hide evidence. The tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Kamal to death for these offences. The tribunal also ordered the authorities concerned to confiscate the property of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan. The court also asked the authorities concerned to take steps to provide adequate compensation from this property to the martyrs and injured victims of July-August movement in proportion to the extent of their losses. Besides, former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison in both charges. Read more: Delhi examining request for Hasina’s extradition; Dhaka expects response

National unity is crucial to defeat fascism and save the country, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said on Saturday. “We face a great challenge in shaping the future of this country. This challenge cannot be met by a single person, organisation, agency, or government alone. Unity among all political parties and factions is essential, and it must be maintained despite any adversity,” he said in a statement Saturday night. He also thanked the members of the National Consensus Commission for engaging with all active political parties and reaching an agreement to formulate and implement the July National Charter. Chief Adviser directs armed forces to prepare for election security Describing the charter as a historic achievement, the Chief Adviser said, “This document is invaluable for our nation. It will not only guide the upcoming national elections but also serve as a roadmap for future politics and strengthen our democracy.” Prof Yunus added that people expect reforms that will foster a democratic culture in Bangladesh, prevent any future dictatorship, ensure overall national development, and protect the civil rights and dignity of every citizen. “The most encouraging aspect is that these reforms have been agreed upon by us, not imposed from outside. In the past, foreign mediators, including representatives of the UN and friendly countries, have often intervened in Bangladesh’s political dialogue. But after the July mass uprising, the political parties decided to solve our own crisis internally. All parties have come together, engaged in political debate, and paved the way for a solution. Instead of relying on the world, we have presented our national unity as an example to the world,” he said. CA’s office asks officials to avoid foreign travels until election On behalf of the nation, he thanked all political leaders who worked tirelessly to make the charter possible, calling it a historic achievement. Claiming the July charter is a unique global example, the Chief Adviser said, “Nothing like this has happened anywhere else in the world. It will be a shining moment in political history. Other nations may consider forming a ‘Consensus Commission’ during times of crisis as a model for nation-building.” He also acknowledged the contributions of the Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, Professor Ali Riaz, members Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia, Special Assistant Monir Haider, and media representatives who covered the commission’s work for months.  “We must preserve the unprecedented unity we have achieved in state reforms. Fascist forces have devoted all their strength to divide the nation. For the past 15 months, we have unitedly confronted their various conspiracies. To defeat fascism and safeguard this country, there is no other option but to maintain national unity,” he added. Read more: BNP not to take responsibility for unsigned parts of July Charter: Fakhrul

Bangladesh is observing the "July Mass Uprising Day" on Tuesday, marking one year of the fall of the Hasina-led government amid a student-led mass uprising that changed the nation’s political course. To commemorate the occasion, the interim government, political parties and socio-cultural organisations have arranged a series of programmes to honour the sacrifices of those including students who took to the streets against misrule and autocracy. Tuesday’s observance will include tributes, processions and cultural performances, highlighting the importance of the day. On June 26, the government announced August 5 as 'July Uprising Day'.The day is a public holiday. The interim government formed a 36-member national committee to oversee the observance of mass uprising days in July and August and marking the anniversary of the movement. Besides, a 36-day long programme was observed from July 1 to August 5 to mark the anniversary. The July declaration will be presented to the nation at 5pm at Manik Mia Avenue at 5pm today. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will read out the July Declaration. Bangladesh Television will broadcast the event live. The July Declaration was finalised by the interim government after consultation with the political parties. These major parties have agreed to grant the declaration official and constitutional recognition. Law Adviser slams Hasina’s rule, claims she lacked understanding of State concept In a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon, the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, wrote: “On Tuesday, 5 August, 2025, at 5:00pm, the July Declaration will be presented to the nation in the presence of all parties involved in the mass uprising.” A grand public event will be held on Tuesday on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital, featuring cultural performances, a symbolic celebration of the fall of fascism, the historic reading of the July Declaration, and a special drone drama titled 'Do You Miss Me?' among daylong festivities.Organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and managed by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) with support from the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat, the event will begin at 11am and run throughout the day. The cultural programme will kick off with performances by the band Tong, including songs like ‘July-er Puthi Gaan’, ‘Ami Chitkar Kore Kadite Chahiya’, and ‘Teesta Bachan, Dhobla Bachan’. This will be followed by Saimum Shilpigoshthi performing revolutionary songs including ‘Jegei Jokhon Uthechho Bondhu’, ‘Ei Andolon Sofol Hobe’, ‘Aay Tarunno Aay’, and ‘Boichhey Batash Boiree’.The highlight of the evening will be a special drone drama titled 'Do You Miss Me?' from 7:30pm to 8pm. Authored by The Anonymous and jointly presented by the Governments of Bangladesh and China, the show will feature 2,000 drones recreating key moments and slogans from the July Uprising, showcasing scenes of student and public mobilisation that led to the eventual victory. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday issued a traffic advisory for city residents ahead of ‘July Mass Uprising Day’. Prof Yunus urges Social Services Department to modernise systems, prioritise girls BNP will hold victory rallies in all upazilas and thanas on Tuesday and in all districts and metropolitan cities across the country on Wednesday, marking the first anniversary of the fall of fascism and the victory of students and the masses in the July Uprising. Earlier on June 26, the BNP announced a 36-day-long programme titled ‘July-August Uprising: Mourning and Victory Observance’ to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, which led to the ousting of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina from power on August 5, 2024. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus issued separate messages ahead of the day. President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday said the fascist roots must be uprooted and the spirit of July be fully realised to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. “The July Uprising was an outburst of the youth and the masses against longstanding deprivation, misrule, corruption, looting, enforced disappearances, killings, abductions, the denial of voting rights and all forms of oppression and tyranny,” said the President in a message marking the July Mass Uprising Day.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said deposed autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina can never be forgiven for the killings and brutalities during the July Mass Uprising, calling her a ‘disgrace to humanity and to all mothers’. “Hasina will never be forgiven. Hasina is a disgrace to humanity, a disgrace to mothers,” he said while addressing a programme titled, ‘The Mass Uprising 2024 – National Unity and Democratic Journey – Evergreen Memories’. Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal and ‘Amra BNP Poribar’ jointly organised the programme on the grave premises of late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, where saplings of neem trees were planted in memory of martyrs of the July Mass Uprising. Recalling a grieving mother’s cries, Fakhrul spoke emotionally about the loss of her son in the movement. “She dreamt of a future through her son. They took him away. He was shot, then dumped in a van along with others — alive or dead, no one checked. Later, the bodies were set on fire. Think about it—we are citizens of an independent country,” he said. Fakhrul suspects plot to thwart February polls The BNP leader said they fought the war of 1971 for an independent country. “The police and administration of this country, who were meant to protect the people, whose salaries were paid with taxpayers’ money, burned and killed our children. What could be more cruel and inhuman than this?” “Our first task is to bring them to justice. Second: to rehabilitate the families of the martyrs. Those who are injured and lost their eyes must be given proper treatment and support. If we fail, future generations will not forgive us,” he added. Fakhrul also announced that BNP would create a fund for the families of those killed and injured in the movement. “I said it yesterday (Saturday), and I say it again today -- there will be an election. Whether we are given power or not is another matter. We will raise a fund on behalf of our party, and with this fund, we will help these families as much as we can,” he said. Fakhrul said he would talk to party acting chairman Tarique Rahman about creating the fund, though Tarique has already been helping the families of martyrs and injured through ‘Amra BNP Poribar’. He said their party wants to build a truly liberal democratic new Bangladesh as per the desire of the martyrs.  “Our goal is to build a truly liberal democratic state. We want a new Bangladesh. We want change. We don’t want corruption. We don’t want bribery. We don’t want murder. We don’t want torture. We want to build a country where people can live safely, freely and peacefully,” the BNP leader said.

NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen on Saturday alleged that there has been no visible progress in ensuring justice for the killings, enforced disappearances and political repression carried out during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, despite the months that have passed since the July mass uprising. Speaking at a discussion meeting at the Jatiya Press Club, held marking the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, Akhter criticised the absence of any tangible legal or institutional action in response to past atrocities. “The hope of the mass uprising was to build a judicial framework capable of addressing the crimes of the past—oppression, disappearances, murder and even massacres. But even after all these months, we have not seen any visible advancement in this regard,” he said. He called on the government to take concrete steps towards realising the aspirations of the uprising. Highlighting constitutional shortcomings, Akhter said, “After the 1971 Liberation War, we received the 1972 Constitution, but it failed to deliver the nation of equality, dignity, and justice we aspired to. The economic rights of the people still lack constitutional recognition.” NCP convener vows to resist ‘fascism, Mujibism’, urges people to stay vigilant He claimed that the existing Constitution was drafted to concentrate state power in the hands of one individual. “This is why we have not seen any balance of power over the last five decades. There is now a necessity for a truly democratic constitution.” Proposing a new constitutional framework, he said, “A new constitution should be formulated through an elected Constituent Assembly and must be protected from being altered at the will of a single political party. It should be based on the consensus of the ruling party, the opposition, and the people.” Akhter also stressed the importance of unity among anti-fascist political forces, warning against internal divisions that stem from political competition and rivalries. “This was not the vision of the uprising. We wanted a Bangladesh free from the politics of vengeance, hatred, and muscle power—where a humane and citizen-focused government addresses the people’s real problems.” Akhter cautioned against reducing the scope of the uprising to a small group of political actors, urging inclusivity. “The 2024 mass uprising must not be owned by a single party. It belongs to all of us. By equally embracing all anti-fascist forces, we can move forward toward our shared goals.” Chaired by Rafiqul Islam Bablu, chief coordinator of the Ganatantra Manch, the event, was addressed, among others, Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, and Mostafa Jamal Haider, Chairman of the Jatiya Party (Zafar).

A documentary titled ‘Heroes Without Capes: Private Universities in July’ has been produced to commemorate the vital and courageous role played by the students of private universities during the July mass uprising. Made under the supervision of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the documentary highlights the students’ bold stance and activism in defence of democracy and justice. At a time when the fascist regime shut down public universities to suppress the movement, students from private universities stepped up and took the lead in the ‘Complete Shutdown’ programme. Thousands of students from institutions, including North South, BRAC, East West, UIU, Daffodil, ULAB, UODA, Independent, Dhaka International, Prime Asia, Stamford, UITS, and many others built strongholds of resistance in areas like Noyanagar, Rampura, Uttara, Badda, Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur in the capital. Private university student stabbed dead on campus in Dhaka Outside Dhaka, students from BGC Trust and Premier University in New Market area of Chattogram, Varendra University in Rajshahi, and Northern University of Technology in Khulna also actively took part in the movement. Despite attempts by the then government to suppress the movement through shooting, block raids, arrests and crackdowns, the students remained undeterred. On the occasion of private university resistance day, the documentary pays deep tribute and expresses heartfelt gratitude to the students who were martyred or injured.  It is being recognised as a historic effort to remember and honour the contributions of students from private universities.