Amid the delay in trial, Rana Plaza survivors, victims’ relatives lose their hopes of getting justice

The slow trial pace of the horrific Rana Plaza disaster that killed at least 1138 people, mostly apparel workers, and injured over 2000 in 2013 disappointed all. Only 36 out of 594 witnesses have testified in the past seven years since charges were framed against 41 accused on July 18, 2016, in the murder case filed in the aftermath of the disaster. Those charged in the homicide case after the collapse of the Rana Plaza building include the owner of the building, the owners of five factories, local government representatives, administration officers, and political activists.
The trial started against 37 people as three accused, building owner Sohel Rana’s father Abdul Khaleque, died while the HC stayed the trial against the former Savar municipality mayor Refatullah. Among the 37 accused facing trial, only Sohel Rana is in custody, 30 secured bails and six remain at large. Sohel Rana, his parents, and five apparel factory owners have been named in 14 cases, including 11 filed with the Labour Court and three criminal cases. The 11 cases were filed by the Department of Inspection of Factories and Establishments against Sohel Rana and five apparel factory owners over their failure to provide prior notice to the victims that Rana Plaza had become risky after developing cracks.
Amid the delay in the trial, Rana Plaza survivors and relatives of the victims all but lost their hopes of getting justice. Injured survivors were living a painful life with injuries and could not return to a normal life while the accused were enjoying an everyday life after getting bail. A large number of survivors have been suffering from orthopaedic and rheumatologic problems that they suspect developed after the Rana Plaza collapse. A recent survey conducted by ActionAid Bangladesh among 200 survivors of the Rana Plaza collapse found 54.5 percent unemployed.
We must say the era of impunity and injustice must end soon and the survivors must get support to return to employment with the support of BKMEA and other bodies. And finally, the Rana Plaza disaster has strained the reputation of our garment sectors which consequently improved workplace safety, but we have to ensure more compliance to ensure workplace safety for all.