The government has announced plans to establish a foundation dedicated to supporting those injured and the families of those who lost their lives during the student-led revolution of July-August 2024.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will lead this foundation, which will also include several advisers from the interim government, student representatives, and family members of the deceased and injured, according to a press release from the Chief Adviser's office.
Professor Yunus emphasised the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by the students and civilians who bravely participated in the protests against the dictatorship.
"We can never forget the contributions of the students and people who sacrificed their lives and who were grievously wounded while participating in the protests," he stated.
He expressed his commitment to ensuring that the injured and the families of the deceased receive the care and support they need.
The chief adviser assured that the foundation would address both the medical needs of the injured and the ongoing support for the families affected by the revolution.
Dedicated government departments and officials will be assigned to oversee these efforts. Additionally, citizens and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora have been encouraged to contribute to the foundation. The specific details and structure of the foundation will be announced soon.
The decision to create the foundation came after a meeting between women leaders and Professor Yunus. During the meeting, the women leaders urged the government to expedite the treatment of those injured during the recent uprising and called for the formation of a judicial reforms commission to prevent the repetition of past mistakes.
They presented several recommendations, focusing on the need to stop violence against women and to ensure fair recruitment processes. The chief adviser responded positively to these suggestions and committed to considering them within the broader reforms agenda.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, briefed the media following the meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna, where Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present. Rizwana emphasized that the goal was to gather diverse opinions that align with the broader reforms agenda. She stressed the importance of prioritizing issues, acknowledging that enacting such changes might be challenging under a partisan government.
The discussion also included the potential establishment of a Women's Rights Commission to address women’s issues more comprehensively. Participants proposed enhancing the powers of the Bangladesh Information Commission and the National Human Rights Commission to ensure greater accountability.
One of the key concerns raised was the need for systemic changes to ensure that perpetrators of violence against women are punished. Rizwana highlighted cases such as those of Kalpana Chakma, Tanu, Munia, and Nusrat, emphasizing the need for justice and societal support for women.
The meeting also covered broader issues affecting the country. A proposal to establish a "Judicial Reforms Commission" was discussed as a way to prevent the repetition of past mistakes.
Notable participants in the meeting included Interim Government Advisers Nurjahan Begum and Farida Akhtar, SDG Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and several other prominent women leaders and activists.