‘New fascism is emerging’: Anu Muhammad

Professor Anu Muhammad, a member of the Democratic Rights Committee, warned today (31 May) that new forms of fascism are beginning to surface in the country.

"We are witnessing signs of a rising fascist force in the society. The presence of new fascism is becoming more evident, and we must resist it," he said while speaking at a 'Civil Solidarity Rally' in front of Dhaka University's Raju Sculpture, organised by the Democratic Students' Alliance.

The rally was held protesting the acquittal of convicted war criminal ATM Azharul Islam and the attacks by Jamaat-Shibir men on the processions of the Democratic Students' Alliance at Rajshahi University and Chattogram.

At the rally, Anu Muhammad alleged that the government has been "indifferent" to the public's desire for a new political structure and, in some cases, "government forces are involved in attacks and torture" against those seeking their rights. 

He claimed attackers are "protected because they have supporters within the government."

Criticising the acquittal of ATM Azharul Islam, Anu Muhammad said, "ATM Azharul Islam was the leader of a war criminal organisation in 1971. The charges against him were supported by documents and evidence. Even if the court overturns the previous verdict due to some error, the truth of the war crime cannot be erased." 

He contended that declaring an identified war criminal innocent distorts history and betrays the martyrs, oppressed women, and freedom fighters of 1971.

Azharul Islam was originally convicted in 2014 by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for six incidents of genocide, murder, abduction, and torture, and was sentenced to death and various other prison terms.

However, on 27 May, a full bench of seven justices led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed unanimously overturned the ICT's verdict, acquitting him of all charges.

This historic decision marks the first time that an individual sentenced to death in a war crimes case has been acquitted by the Appellate Division through a review and subsequent appeal process.