Protesters demand state recognition for July martyrs, injured warriors in 4-point charter at Secretariat

Families of martyrs and injured warriors from the July 2024 mass uprising staged a sit-in in front of the Secretariat on Monday, pressing four demands including national recognition, legal protection, rehabilitation, and justice.

The protesters announced they will submit a memorandum to the government. Law enforcers were deployed in alert mode at the site.

The demonstrators from the July Mass Uprising Martyrs' Families and Injured Brave July Warriors said the 36-day historic uprising, which toppled the autocratic government, succeeded through the sacrifices of martyrs, the injured, and thousands of people. However, the interim government has so far failed to grant national honors, proper treatment, rehabilitation, and full recognition to the martyrs and injured.

They called on the state to incorporate their demands into a declaration and the permanent constitution for immediate implementation. The demands include:

First, declaring all who sacrificed their lives in the July 2024 mass uprising as 'July martyrs' (national heroes) with state recognition, and honoring injured, tortured, and struggling citizens as 'July warriors' (heroes) at the national level.

Second, ensuring lifelong honor, treatment, education, housing, and financial security for martyrs' families and the injured; the state must assume full responsibility, covering all welfare expenses from the national budget. Provide dignified lifelong allowances as a citizen's right for these families, with neglect, discrimination, or rights deprivation deemed treason or special offense, warranting severe legal action. Establish special legal aid centers and welfare trusts for martyrs' families and the injured.

Third, prosecuting those responsible for suppression, shootings, torture, and killings during the uprising under international human rights standards; form an independent Truth and Justice Commission where direct victims, martyrs' family members, and the injured can present testimonies and experiences, with the report preserved in the national archive as part of the nation's history, accessible to future generations.

Fourth, observing July Mass Democracy Day annually as a national event to commemorate the uprising; build July memorials and museums in Dhaka and other cities to preserve martyrs' names, photos, and biographies, and include the 'July Mass Uprising' in the school curriculum so future generations draw inspiration from this history.

The protesters said the July mass uprising is an immortal chapter in the nation's history. Permanent respect for the martyrs, just recognition, legal protection, and rights establishment for all participants and injured warriors is the collective due of the nation. This is not just a document; it is the eternal pledge of the new Bangladesh for justice, humanity, and democracy. They expressed hope that the interim government will fulfill these demands promptly to discharge its historic responsibility.