July martyrs’ families rally at tribunal, demand chief prosecutor’s resignation

Members of the July Shaheed families rallied outside the International Crimes Tribunal on Monday afternoon, demanding the resignation of Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam. 

Under the banner of the 'July 24 Shaheed Paribar Society,' they raised slogans calling for the banning of the Awami League , swift trials of genocide suspects, immediate arrests of all accused, expedited indictments, and capital punishment for those convicted.  

The protesters accused the tribunal of conducting a sham trial, alleging that justice for the victims of July’s massacre has been deliberately delayed. “The tribunal is staging a farce in the name of justice,” one protester said. “The Chief Prosecutor has been sold out.” 

They warned that if the pace of the genocide trials does not accelerate, they would resort to more drastic measures, including demolishing the tribunal itself.  

The father of one martyr, whose son was killed during the uprising, shared his anguish: “Two of the accused in my son’s murder case have already been released on bail by the High Court.” 

This was not their first protest. Earlier, members of the 'July 24 Martyrs' Family Society' had organised demonstrations and human chains at the National Press Club to voice their demands. 

When questioned about the calls for his resignation, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam told reporters, “Those who have lost children are entitled to demand justice—it is their right. We are working sincerely to complete the investigation and trial process as quickly as possible.” 

The protest comes amid growing scrutiny of the tribunal’s performance. 

On September 5, following the mass student-led uprising, the Law Ministry reorganised the International Crimes Tribunal and appointed Tajul Islam as Chief Prosecutor, granting him the status of Attorney General.  

On November 18, a three-member bench led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder issued a month-long deadline to submit progress reports and investigative updates on the arrest of 46 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The other members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.