BNP Secretary General and LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the sacrifices of those martyred in the July Uprising could only be honoured by establishing the rights of the people and building an effective democratic state.
“The debt of July’s blood will be repaid by establishing the rights of the people. It is the responsibility of everyone to fulfil the dreams of those who gave their lives for democracy,” he said on Monday while addressing a discussion at the National Press Club.
The programme was organised by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) to mark the second anniversary of the July mass uprising.
Describing the July uprising as “part of the nation’s heart”, the minister said the sacrifices of those killed and injured had created a unique opportunity for national transformation. He said that opportunity must be used to establish a democratic and rights-based state.
“The July mass uprising has strengthened the nation’s long-standing aspiration for democracy. We must now move the country forward through dialogue rather than division and conflict,” he said.
Referring to the government’s reform agenda, Mirza Fakhrul said the administration was committed to implementing the July Charter. He said work had already begun and parliamentary committees had been formed to advance the necessary reforms through discussion.
Highlighting the role of the media, the minister described the press as a vital pillar of democracy. He said the government would give priority to journalists’ issues, including employment, security and the welfare of the families of journalists who were killed or injured during the movement.
He also said the government was working to build a “New Bangladesh” in line with public expectations. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, initiatives were being taken to bring positive changes across different sectors of the state through direct public engagement, he said, calling for national unity to strengthen democracy and public welfare.
Speaking as a special guest, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said the nation would never forget the contributions of those who lost their lives during the July uprising and other democratic movements.
He said their sacrifices would receive full recognition only when the rights of the people were secured through an effective parliament.
The discussion was attended by leaders of journalists’ organisations and representatives from various media outlets.
