Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has asserted that dissent opinions and peaceful movements to realize demands are constitutional rights, not crimes.
The organization urged the government to learn from the crisis and immediately accept all the legitimate demands of the students by ceasing repressive measures, abductions, and tortures.
In a press release on Friday, the anti-corruption watchdog called upon the government to formulate a roadmap acceptable to the students by holding a dialogue with all stakeholders involved in the protest.
Meanwhile, a group of social and cultural activists under the banner of ‘Protesting Cultural and Social Organisation’ held a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Friday.
They demanded an independent and impartial investigation of all incidents under the supervision of the United Nations.
Recalling the violence and killing of students, Chief Executive of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association Syeda Rizwan Hasan said, “Nobody can remain silent after seeing death tolls. When I close my eyes, I can see those bodies.”
She further stated that they do not want to see any judicial drama but demand independent and impartial investigations under the supervision of the United Nations.
Supreme Court lawyer and BLAST Honorary Executive Director Sara Hossain demanded the actual figure of deaths.
“We have every right to know the actual figure of deaths. The government seems more concerned about property than people’s lives. Are properties more valuable than lives?” she questioned.
Dhaka University Professor Samina Lutfa stated that the government must shoulder the responsibility for these killings and demanded justice for the victims.
On the other hand, TIB, quoting mass media reports, stated that more than 200 people were killed during the violence following the students’ demands for quota reform for government jobs.
TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “The constitution gives people the right to express dissent opinions, hold rallies, stage protests, and conduct peaceful demonstrations as part of a movement to realize demands.
But it is disappointing that we have to remind a government, which claims itself democratic, of this.”
“In fact, we have witnessed a massive loss of lives, thousands of people injured, and the destruction of state properties, which represent a lack of good governance and accountability.
Apart from the protesters, many ordinary people, including children and adolescents, were killed,” he said.
“One of the important questions now is whether those responsible for the deaths caused by point-blank shootings or at their own homes or rooftops will be held accountable,” he pointed out.
“The judicial commission will only investigate the six death incidents that happened on July 16. So, are the rest of the lives worthless? Should we accept dying by bullets at home as regular events?” he questioned.
TIB also pointed out that the protesting students are constantly under the fear of arrest, abduction, and physical-mental torture.
The students have been tortured after abduction by groups identifying as law enforcers, as evident from the remarks of the returned students, it added.
“The responsible individuals of the government, including the ministers, have admitted that no students were involved in any atrocities.
Despite this, the illegal abduction of the students by law enforcement agencies is a total disregard for the constitutional right to civilian protest and movement,” Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said.
He emphasized that the government must immediately accept the legitimate demands of the students, avoid the path of retaliation, and create an environment for dialogue.
“The government must take the initiative to hold a dialogue with the full group of coordinators of the students involved in the movement,” he said.