Academics, citizens call for UN investigation into quota protest killings

Describing the killing of over 200 people across the country during the quota reform protest as a "mass killing", civil society representatives, senior citizens, and academics have demanded that the United Nations oversee the investigation and justice for these killings.

At a discussion event organised on Thursday under the banner of Protibadi Nagorik Somaj, they said this incident will be remembered in history as "the July massacre".

Expressing distrust in the current government's ability to ensure justice, they emphasised that justice cannot be sought from the perpetrators themselves.

At the event held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, former Dhaka University vice chancellor Professor Dr Anwarullah Chowdhury said, "What happened during the student movement on 18, 19 and 20 July is a popular uprising. This is the first stage of mass uprising. It is not too late to take shape in the final stage of the uprising."

"It is only through this final popular uprising that the liberation of the nation will be achieved and the dictatorship will fall," he added.

Dr Tazmeri Islam, professor at Dhaka University, said, "No one has ever secured their power by shedding blood, and Sheikh Hasina will not survive either. We must come forward to save our generation, without fear."

Professor Dilara Chowdhury said, "The government has always claimed that Jamaat-Shibir was responsible for the mayhem. My question is, where did Jamaat-Shibir get the helicopters and tanks? The government lies all the time."

Describing Sultana Kamal as a government agent, she added, "We do not accept the public inquiry commission formed by them; we want an investigation under the United Nations. People like Sultana Kamal are agents of the government, working on its behalf."

Journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi said, "Four journalists were shot dead in this movement, and more than 300 journalists were injured. Our media is hiding information and news, which is driving people toward social media."

Professor ABM Obaidul Islam, convener of the Dhaka University teachers' organisation Sada Dal; Professor Lutfar Rahman, former Vice-Chancellor at Patuakhali Science and Technology University; Professor Abdul Latif Masum; and poet and journalist Abdul Hai Shikder were also present at the event, among others.