Political parties leaders in Satkhira say : 'Failure to implement July declaration would be a betrayal ofJuly movement '
Shah Jahan Ali Miton, Satkhira
Representatives from various political and civil society groups in Satkhira have demanded the swift implementation of the ‘July Declaration’ to establish permanent democracy and justice in the country.
They warned that failure to implement this declaration could lead to the resurgence of autocracy, which would be a grave betrayal of the blood shed by the martyrs of the July Movement. To ensure that no autocrat rises again in the country, the implementation of the July Declaration is indispensable. This declaration is the cornerstone for establishing the dignity of people from all classes and professions and achieving the desired systemic change.
On Thursday (June 12), these demands were raised at a significant seminar titled ‘July Declaration and the Thoughts of Satkhira’s Citizens,’ organized by United People’s Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh) at the Satkhira Public Library auditorium. Chaired by UP Bangladesh’s central member Asma Ul Husna, the speakers at the seminar stated that during the tenure of the previous government, Satkhira witnessed the highest number of killings, enforced disappearances, and atrocities. The July Movement thwarted the greed to cling to power through the persecution of thousands of people. They demanded immediate trials for the crimes against humanity committed by Sheikh Hasina and all officials of that government.
The speakers said, “The families of the martyrs will find peace only when they see justice served. The delay in delivering justice has raised questions in the public’s mind.” Highlighting the significance of the July Movement, they added, “This movement did not belong to any specific party or group; it was a liberation movement for people from all walks of life, from rickshaw pullers to professionals. The July Declaration must be implemented to establish the dignity of these ordinary people. We do not merely want a change in power; we want a change in the system.”
Drawing attention to the role of the interim government, the speakers said, “No more excuses. The July Declaration must be enacted into law, even if it requires amending the constitution. Failure to do so would be a betrayal of the fighters of the July Movement. To ensure that the country’s talents do not leave and to end the politics of domination, this declaration is crucial.”
The seminar, moderated by UP Bangladesh’s central member Masud Rana, featured keynote remarks by UP Bangladesh’s chief coordinator Naid Ahmad. Other speakers included Satkhira district BNP member secretary Abu Zahid Dablu, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s district assistant secretary Lecturer Omar Faruk, AB Party’s district convener Abdul Kader, media personality Hasanur Rahman Hasan, Sadar Upazila Chhatra Dal convener Monjurul Alam Bappi, former president of the district Chhatra Adhikar Parishad Muhammad Imran Hossain, central member secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Kaumi Chhatra Andolan Maksudur Rahman Junaid, and Arifuzzaman on behalf of the martyrs’ families, among others.
Representatives from various political and civic organizations participated in the event. The speakers reiterated that the July Movement was not confined to any specific group but was a struggle for the liberation of the masses. They demanded justice for the killings, enforced disappearances, and atrocities committed during the previous government’s tenure, emphasizing that betraying the blood of the martyrs is unacceptable. They called for the urgent implementation of the July Declaration.
