11-party alliance seeks faster July Uprising crime trials

An 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has urged the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) to speed up trials of cases linked to crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 July Uprising.

The alliance submitted a seven-point memorandum to ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam today (23 July).

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) General Secretary Barrister Fuad, and several other senior leaders of the alliance member parties were part of the delegation, along with family members of some of the July martyrs.

In the memorandum, the alliance said investigations into many major sites linked to the July-August 2024 killings remain incomplete. It called for completing the investigations quickly and taking steps to move forward with legal action against those responsible.

The memorandum also alleged that many accused police officials and other law enforcement members have not yet been arrested. It claimed some of them are still holding government positions. The alliance demanded legal action against those who face sufficient evidence after investigation.

The alliance said crimes against humanity took place in 61 out of 64 districts. It claimed investigations into many incidents outside Dhaka, Rangpur, and Kushtia have not yet finished.

It also alleged that many identified individuals from the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, accused of involvement in killings and attacks, remain out of custody. The situation has created security concerns for victims and witnesses.

The alliance further demanded faster investigations into allegations of enforced disappearances, killings, and the concealment or destruction of bodies involving military and civilian individuals. It called for trials based on sufficient evidence.

The memorandum said the slow pace of investigations and trials has created concerns among those seeking justice and families of victims.