BNP Secretary General calls for national unity against state repression and demands justice for victims of custodial abuse and political oppression

On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, observed globally on June 26, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), issued a strong statement condemning custodial torture and deaths in Bangladesh. He demanded immediate action to halt such practices and called for justice and rehabilitation for victims of state-sponsored abuse.

In a press release issued on Wednesday (June 25), Mirza Fakhrul expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with oppressed individuals, communities, and nations across the globe. He remarked that this UN-designated day aims to raise awareness about the plight of torture victims and to mobilize support for their rights and dignity.

“Throughout history, tyrannical rulers, brutal dictators, and authoritarian regimes have suppressed people through repression and torture,” Fakhrul said. “Even in today's world, when mechanical progress has reached its peak, humanity still lags behind in terms of compassion and justice.”

Referring to the violent government crackdowns during the July-August popular uprisings of last year, Fakhrul alleged that the then "fascist regime" caused numerous deaths and left thousands injured or permanently disabled. “The scale of repression shocked the world,” he said.

He strongly condemned what he described as the ruling Awami League’s authoritarian and vindictive rule over the past 16 years. “State terrorism has led to widespread incidents of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings under the guise of 'crossfire,' and deaths due to physical abuse while in custody,” said Fakhrul. “There has been no accountability. All state institutions were seized to enforce one-party autocracy.”

Fakhrul further alleged that the government used threats, intimidation, and violence to silence the media and destroy freedom of expression. “Leaders and activists of BNP and other pro-democracy movements have been subjected to relentless persecution. The entire country has lived under the shadow of fear and anarchy,” he added.

Highlighting the imprisonment of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul claimed that she was jailed based on fabricated charges and political vengeance. “Despite her deteriorating health, she has been denied proper medical care. Her treatment exemplifies the extreme nature of state-sponsored oppression,” he said.

Calling for justice, Fakhrul urged the implementation of the right to redress and adequate compensation for victims of torture, as recognized under international law. “Victims and their dependents must receive fair rehabilitation and reparation,” he asserted.

Fakhrul concluded his statement with a call to action: “On this important day, I appeal to all democracy-loving citizens to unite and resist all forms of oppression. We must demand an end to custodial torture and killings by law enforcement agencies. This is not just a political demand; it is a moral imperative.”

He emphasized that continued silence would only empower authoritarian regimes and erode the country’s democratic foundations.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)