Shibir demands withdrawal of political cases filed during 'fascist era'

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has demanded justice for what they describe as the "July '24 massacre" allegedly committed by the Awami League, alongside the release of Dhaka University (DU) Shibir's founding president, ATM Azharul Islam, and the withdrawal of all political cases filed during what they term a "fascist regime."

The demands were made on Wednesday, 23 April, in a joint statement by Shibir's Central President Zahidul Islam and Secretary General Nurul Islam Saddam.

"Awami League established a reign of fascism after seizing power in 2008. Barbaric massacres were carried out against unarmed civilians even during movements to reclaim constitutional rights. An interim government was formed upon the bloodshed of nearly two thousand martyrs and countless wounded or maimed protesters in the heroic struggle of student masses. However, we observe the interim government's indifference towards delivering justice for this genocide. Various parties are making efforts to release and rehabilitate perpetrators in exchange for large sums of money," the organisation's leaders stated.

They further alleged that the Awami League plotted to render the nation leaderless by eliminating patriotic scholars and politicians. "As part of this campaign, Dhaka University Shibir's founding president, ATM Azharul Islam, was arrested in 2012 on false charges of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death based on baseless and farcical testimonies. One witness claimed to have seen the event from 7 kilometres away, while another identified himself as a classmate despite enrolling two years after the victim had left college. These contradictions clearly prove the case is fabricated and politically motivated."

According to the statement, many political prisoners have been released since the July uprising. Despite previously appealing to the Supreme Court, ATM Azharul Islam was denied justice. Even after the uprising, hearings have repeatedly been postponed under various pretexts.

The leaders also claimed that Chhatra Shibir has faced brutal oppression over the past 16 years under what they describe as a fascist government.