CA describes DNA test of unclaimed bodies of July Uprising major step toward justice

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (7 January) said that the initiative of collecting DNA samples to confirm identities of those, who were buried as unclaimed individuals during the July Uprising, is a significant progress toward justice for families of those people.

"This effort to uncover the truth and give back the identities of the martyrs represents a significant progress toward justice for families of the missing people and reflects the moral responsibility of the state," he said.

The chief adviser made the remarks after receiving a report on the overall activity of collection of DNA samples from the remains of 114 unidentified individuals, who were buried as unclaimed bodies at Rayerbazar Graveyard here during the 2024 July Uprising, at the State Guest House, Jamuna.

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police collected the DNA samples.

Yunus expressed gratitude to all those involved in the initiative, according to the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.

The chief adviser said that the atrocities committed by the then government were rare in world history. "Killing one's own citizens and burying them in mass graves is unimaginable in any civilized state". 

He said the DNA identification process proves that truth can never be suppressed forever. "The names and identities of those killed will be restored, and their sacrifices will remain permanently recorded in the nation's history," he added.

He emphasised that this initiative was not merely a forensic activity, but an effort to wipe away the tears of grieving families, restore the humane face of the state, and take a courageous step toward justice.

For families still waiting for news of their loved ones, the chief adviser said, this process is a ray of hope- "One day, the truth will ultimately come to light".

The DNA collection activity was carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, with overall cooperation from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The DNA collection activity took place between December 7 and December 27, 2025.

According to the report, so far, nine families searching for their missing relatives have provided DNA samples. Through forensic testing, eight martyrs have been successfully identified. The CID confirmed that all identified individuals were killed by gunshot wounds.

The identified martyrs are Shaheed Sohel Rana, 38, Shaheed Rafiqul Islam, 52, Shaheed Asadullah, 32, Shaheed Mahin Mia, 32, Shaheed Faisal Sarkar, 26, Shaheed Parvez Bepari, 23, Shaheed Kabil Hossain, 58, and Shaheed Rafiqul Islam, 29.

To ensure transparency, neutrality, and international standards, internationally renowned forensic science expert Dr Morris Tidball-Binz provided guidance and training on conducting forensic tests of the DNA samples.

The CID informed the Chief Adviser that it has urged families, whose members went missing while participating in the July–August mass uprising, to contact its hotline at 01320019999.

Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-E-Azam, Bir Protik, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Forensic Medicine Department Professor Dr Kazi Golam Mukhlasur Rahman, CID Chief and Additional Inspector General of Police Md Sibgat Ullah and representative of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Md Zahid Hossain were present on the occasion, among others.

CID Chief Md Sibgat Ullah said that the mother of one martyr used to visit the CID office regularly.

She also used to stand beside a grave under a tree at Rayerbazar Graveyard, he said, adding, astonishingly, her son's body was found beneath that very tree.

The CID chief said establishing a laboratory at the site and conducting DNA testing there has significantly enhanced the operational capacity of the police.