Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has stated that the government will never allow any crimes against humanity, genocide, or acts against justice committed in Bangladesh to be barred by time.
Swapon added that the government remains committed to ensuring justice for all such incidents, ranging from the genocide of the 1971 Liberation War to the killings at Shapla Chattar.
He made these remarks as chief guest at a memorial meeting held on Friday at Dhaka’s National Museum auditorium to honour the martyrs of Shapla Chattar.
Addressing the programme, he noted that the Jatiya Sangsad has already paid formal tribute to the martyrs of Shapla Chattar and has taken the necessary initiatives to ensure justice for all killings, including those during the July uprising.
The minister recalled how public anger against the events beginning in 2009, including subsequent political repression, attacks on opposition rallies, the operation at Shapla Chattar, and general fascist behaviour, eventually transformed into national unity.
This progression led to the fall of fascist forces through the mass uprising on 5 August 2024.
He further alleged that following the Shapla Chattar incident, the BNP and its activists were purposefully accused. During that period, misleading propaganda was spread using government-backed media, and numerous BNP leaders were implicated in legal cases.
He asserted, “There is no pro-democracy section of Bangladesh that has not been a victim of torture under fascism.”
Reflecting on the leadership of Khaleda Zia, Swapon credited her acceptable leadership for forging anti-fascist unity among people of various classes and professions.
He also highlighted the activities of the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, stating that by remembering the Shapla martyrs in the Jatiya Sangsad, the government has sent a message of accountability to the nation.
Swapon emphasised that achieving major goals is impossible without the unity of social forces alongside political power. He remarked, “When questions of religious values, patriotism, or national interest arise, the entire nation becomes one. This unity is our greatest strength.”
He added that true responsibility towards the martyrs can only be fulfilled by maintaining national unity regarding the people’s religious values, independence, self-reliance, and prosperity.
Lawmaker Md Kamruzzaman Ratan, Sayed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala, Chairman of Shapla Smriti Sangsad Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Huq, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, and NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan also addressed the event.
