Implement referendum verdict Nahid tells govt

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday urged the government to implement the verdict of the referendum and fulfil its promises of state reform, saying doing so would demonstrate its commitment to the aspirations of the July mass uprising.

After paying tribute at the mass grave of martyrs of the 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.

Nahid said 1 July marked the beginning of the historic uprising and that the party had begun its observance by visiting the martyrs’ mass grave at Rayerbazar, starting a 36-day campaign titled “July Awakening to Build the Nation.”

Paying tribute to those killed in the uprising, Nahid said the party respectfully remembers the 1,400 people killed during the movement, including Abu Sayeed, Mugdha, Wasim, Farhan, Faiyaz and Riya Gop, as well as more than 3,000 injured.

He 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.

Dissatisfaction over ICT verdict
Referring to a recent verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal, Nahid said the judgment had 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 Inu 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 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, noting that only two verdicts have been delivered since the current government assumed office. He called for the speedy completion of all pending trials.

Demands justice, museum, rehabilitation
Nahid demanded that those accused of involvement in the July killings — including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the killers of Osman Hadi — be brought back to Bangladesh to face justice, and called for the death sentence against Hasina to be implemented once all legal procedures are completed.

He 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.

Briefing reporters, Nahid also demanded that the July Memorial Museum be opened by August 5 this year.

“Otherwise the people themselves will open it, and they will take measures to visit the museum,” he said.

He further demanded the swift prosecution of those responsible for the massacre, implementation of state reforms, and fulfilment of the promised assistance for the families of those killed and injured.

NCP leaders had earlier offered prayers at the graves of the protesters killed during the uprising as part of the party’s month-long observance.