Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday said the achievements of the July Revolution belong to all pro-democracy and peace-loving people of Bangladesh, not to any individual or political party, stressing that national unity is essential to protect those gains.
"We must remain united to safeguard the achievements of the July Revolution and ensure that no injustice is committed in the name of justice," he said while addressing the July National Conference-2026 as chief guest at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital, marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution.
The conference was jointly organised by the July 24 Martyrs' Family Society and the Amra July Joddha Central Executive Committee.
The Prime Minister said those responsible for the killings and injustices committed during the July movement must be brought to justice in accordance with the law, but cautioned against violating due process.
"If necessary, the judicial process may take time, but it must strictly follow due process so that the real perpetrators are held accountable," he said.
Paying tribute to the victims of the movement, Tarique said the 65 children who lost their lives had committed no crime and sacrificed themselves in the struggle to free the country from authoritarian rule.
Referring to the human cost of the movement, he said the United Nations estimated around 1,400 deaths, but his own assessment put the number of those martyred at nearly 2,000, while about 30,000 others were injured or otherwise affected.
He assured the families of the martyrs and the injured that the state would make every effort to properly recognise their sacrifices, acknowledging that no amount of support could compensate for the loss of loved ones or permanent injuries.
"However, if we can build a better Bangladesh, future generations will proudly say that the sacrifices of your loved ones changed the destiny of the nation," he said.
Emphasising unity, the Prime Minister said there was no alternative to national solidarity if Bangladesh was to move forward.
"We do not want to divide the nation. Our guiding principle is not 'I' but 'we'. Our focus is the people of Bangladesh and the country itself," he said, urging everyone not to lose sight of the country's fundamental goal of ensuring the political, economic and social emancipation of its people.
He also paid tribute to those killed during the July Revolution and the democratic movements over the past 17 years, saying the greatest honour to their sacrifices would be to fulfil the ideals for which they gave their lives.
During the programme, the Prime Minister presented commemorative plaques to the families of the martyrs and those injured in the July Revolution, who were also honoured at the event.
