Leaders of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) and Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (Jucsu) have called for the immediate trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, senior officials of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and other security agencies over alleged crimes during the previous Awami League regime.
The call comes after the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) recently issued arrest warrants against 28 individuals accused of abduction, secret detention, extrajudicial killings, human rights violations and torture.
In a joint statement signed by Ducsu Vice-President Shadik Kayem, General Secretary S M Farhad, and Assistant General Secretary Mohiuddin Khan, the leaders described the incidents as “a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s history,” where such crimes were carried out under state patronage.
Citing data from the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, the statement noted that over 1,800 cases of enforced disappearance have been reported, involving citizens from all walks of life- students, women, workers, and political activists.
It added that many students and campus leaders remain missing after being allegedly targeted for their dissenting political views.
The Ducsu leaders further alleged the involvement of a “neighboring country” in these crimes, both directly and indirectly, warning that such interference poses a grave threat to Bangladesh’s national security and sovereignty.
They also accused top officials of DGFI, RAB, and other law enforcement bodies of direct participation in these violations.
The statement stressed that without ensuring justice, it would be impossible to restore public confidence in the country’s armed forces, RAB, and police. “Holding perpetrators accountable will help rebuild these institutions as credible and people-oriented bodies,” it added.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement signed by Jucsu General Secretary Md Mazharul Islam, the student leaders expressed concern over the authorities’ failure to arrest the military officers accused of crimes against humanity despite the tribunal’s warrant.
Jucsu urged the government to immediately apprehend and prosecute those responsible for grave human rights abuses to ensure justice and accountability.
