Citizens' platform issues 24hr ultimatum for release of all detained illegally

Bikkhubdho Nagorik Shomaj, a citizens' platform, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to authorities to release all students and general people arrested over the recent protests without specific allegations.

All incidents of violence against innocent citizens must be thoroughly investigated and international organisations such as the UN should be involved in the trials, the platform demanded during a human chain programme in front of the Detective Branch (DB) office in Dhaka on Thursday (1 August).

Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, present at the event, said, "Our students were shot with guns bought with our tax money.

"Bangladesh wasn't liberated to kill people and students with bullets and guns bought with my tax money."

The renowned economist further said schools and colleges should be reopened, and law enforcement officers who have "repressed students" must be removed from their positions.

The internet must be restored to ensure full access and freedom, he demanded, warning that failure to restore law and order swiftly could result in a major crisis for Bangladesh.

Regarding the release of the six coordinators of the quota reform movement, Debapriya said, "We are happy but not satisfied as many students, teachers, and others are still under custody across the country."

Also present at the event were Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh; Asif Nazrul, professor of Law at Dhaka University; human rights lawyer Nur Khan Liton; Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Supreme Court lawyer and chief executive of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association; and Gitiara Nasreen, professor at Dhaka University's Mass Communication and Journalism Department, among others.

Prof Asif Nazrul demanded justice for the killings and accountability for those who ordered them.

TIB's Iftekharuzzaman criticised all law enforcement agencies, saying, "Every force has misled the public and betrayed its own credibility and the people have recognised their violations of the law and constitution."

Regarding the Detective Branch, he said the organisation has "amassed unaccountable power" from the highest levels of government and "repressed students and the public".

Lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan questioned the legality of the detentions. "What does security really mean in DB custody? What legal basis supports the detention of students? Which constitutional law justifies this action?"

She further said, "They detain us at their discretion, hold us indefinitely, feed us noodles, mock us, and then broadcast these images to the media.

"We do not seek to confront law enforcement but will turn to them for security if necessary. However, they do not have the legal authority to remove us from our homes arbitrarily."