National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam on Tuesday urged all political parties to include a clear commitment in their election manifestos to continue the trials of those responsible for crimes against humanity during the July 2024 mass uprising.
Nahid, one of the key student coordinators of the movement, made the call while talking to reporters at the International Crimes Tribunals premises in the capital.
He said that the trial process must continue without interruption, regardless of political change.
He also urged the interim government to prepare a roadmap to ensure the long-term continuation of the tribunal鈥檚 work.
He said that both the present and future governments should take steps to bring back deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina after the verdict in the case against her.
Nahid appeared before the office of the chief prosecutor in a bid to testify in the International Crimes Tribunal as the 47th prosecution witness in the crimes against humanity case against Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.
The three are accused of exercising superior command responsibilities for the atrocities during the uprising.
Nahid himself was among six student leaders who were picked up from their houses and subjected to torture in custody of the police during the crackdown.
Earlier, accused and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, testifying as state evidence, had told the tribunal that the decision to detain student leaders from the group Students Against Discrimination was made at a high-level meeting held at the official residence of the then home minister, Asaduzzaman Khan.
Mamun had said that the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence proposed the arrests.
He added that Detective Branch officer Harun-or-Rashid was assigned to lead the operation. Mamun said that both the DB and the DGFI operatives picked up the students, brought them to DB headquarters, and tried to pressure them into negotiating with the government.
鈥楾heir families were also brought in. Eventually, the students were forced to issue public statements withdrawing from the movement,鈥� Mamun submitted, adding that DB officer Harun played a key role in the process.
However, Nahid was not able to testify on Tuesday as scheduled, since the tribunal adjourned the cross-examination of Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman鈥檚 deposition.
Chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam told reporters that Nahid鈥檚 testimony would likely follow the conclusion of Mahmudur鈥檚 cross-examination, which is expected to finish by Wednesday noon.
Earlier that day, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur gave his closing statement as the 46th prosecution witness in the same case.
He urged the tribunal to ensure justice for the victims of the July uprising and to punish those responsible for committing crimes against humanity.
He said justice was essential not only for the families of the dead and injured but also to prevent a return to authoritarian rule in the future.
