On the evening of June 6 at 7:00 PM, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus delivered an address in which he stated, “A faction of fallen fascists and their local and international accomplices are attempting to obstruct our collective effort to build a ‘New Bangladesh.’ They seek to undermine the unity and democratic aspirations of our nation and bind us once again in chains of servitude. I have said it before, and I say it again now—we face a situation akin to warfare. We must stand together and must not allow ourselves to be divided under any circumstances.”
Dr. Yunus further revealed, “Over the past sixteen years, under authoritarian rule, countless individuals have been deprived of their rights. Even in this digital age, people were forcibly disappeared—some confined in cells no larger than three feet by three feet. To uncover the truth behind these atrocities, an independent Commission on Enforced Disappearances was formed; it has already submitted two interim reports and continues to gather new allegations. Investigations have uncovered harrowing accounts of brutality: victims’ bodies were mutilated and dumped into rivers, people rendered unconscious by injection and cast into burning brick kilns, and others thrown under trains and vehicles. The process of bringing these criminals to justice is ongoing, and legislation on enforced disappearances is nearing its final stages.”
He explained, “For the investigation of enforced disappearances, the Commission has visited centers in Dhaka, Chapainawabganj, and Bogura districts to record firsthand testimonies. To ensure wider public participation, public hearings were held at universities and madrasas, involving over eight hundred students, teachers, and ordinary citizens. Some of these cases have already been forwarded to the International Crimes Tribunal.”
The Chief Adviser emphasized, “Eradicating the corruption and injustices that have plagued our institutions for sixteen years requires the active participation of all political parties. Since assuming office, we have maintained ongoing dialogue with political leaders and submitted proposals for national reform. We have initiated introductory and discussion meetings with leaders from various political parties this past week. During these meetings, everyone acknowledged that forging national unity is the only way to overcome our current crisis. They have expressed their willingness to play a constructive role, and I have assured them that we stand with them in this struggle to maintain our nation’s integrity and dignity.”
In conclusion, Dr. Yunus issued an urgent call: “Dear countrymen, let us build a strong wall of resistance together. We must stand shoulder to shoulder to safeguard our independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Every citizen must stand firm—because our adversaries are ever ready to thwart our efforts.”
Key Points Summarized:
• Warning against the manipulations of fallen fascists and their collaborators.
• Reaffirmation of unity born from the July uprising.
• Formation of an independent Commission on Enforced Disappearances, which submitted two interim reports.
• Public hearings and investigations held in Dhaka, Chapainawabganj, and Bogura.
• Some enforced disappearance cases forwarded to the International Crimes Tribunal.
• Enforced Disappearances legislation nearing completion.
• Emphasis on political parties’ collaboration to eradicate corruption and injustice that have festered for sixteen years.
• Ongoing discussions among political leaders aiming to forge national unity.
• An urgent appeal for all citizens to unite and defend the nation’s freedom, sovereignty, and integrity.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s address highlighted the country’s recent political challenges and past human rights violations, urging citizens to stand united to rid the nation of corruption and oppression.