Justice eludes families of July uprising victims

Shilpi Begum's life changed forever when her only son, Mehedi Hasan, was shot dead during a protest last July.

Since then, the grieving mother from Sonargaon, Narayanganj, has suffered two strokes. Now her only remaining wish is to see justice for her son.

"I just want those responsible for my son's death to be punished," Shilpi told The Daily Star recently.

But that hope is fading, as there has been no progress in the investigation over the past nine months.

Mehedi, 21, a student at Gazaria Institute of Science and Technology, was fatally shot in the head on July 20 during clashes between police, Awami League activists, and protesters in Siddhirganj.

On August 15, his father Sana Ullah filed a complaint with the ICT investigation agency accusing Sheikh Hasina, former ministers Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Zunaid Ahmed Palak, as well as ex-IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Two of them -- Palak and Abdullah Al-Mamun -- are currently in jail on charges related to crimes against humanity committed during the uprising.

No progress has been made in the investigation into my son's death. Due to the delays, the witnesses of the incident are losing confidence and are now afraid of giving statements.

— Zartaj Parveen Mother of Shafiq Uddin

"The investigator visited us once. That's all," Sana Ullah said outside the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), hoping for answers.

Sana Ullah also named activists of AL affiliated organisations -- Jubo League and Chhatra League -- as being involved. In a later complaint, he added more names, including several police officers and a local councillor.

Investigation Officer Zahirol Islam did not respond to phone calls despite repeated attempts.

This is a matter of law and professional investigation. Rushing may jeopardise the case and undermine justice.

— Tajul Islam ICT Chief Prosecutor

Contacted, Investigation Agency Co-coordinator Muhammed Shahidullah Chowdhury said, "I cannot say outright what is the progress of the investigation as many complaints have been lodged. If the victim's father visits us, instead of the ICT, we can look into the progress."

The grieving father met ICT Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam on Monday, who said they are currently busy dealing with Sheikh Hasina's command responsibility case. After the investigation of that case is completed, they will look into Mehedi's killing.

The family is not alone. So far, over 300 complaints have been filed with the chief prosecutor's office. A total of 23 cases have been lodged with the tribunal, according to the chief prosecutor's office.

In March, around 70 family members of the July victims held a sit-in outside the ICT, demanding swift justice.

The mother of another July uprising victim, Shafiq Uddin Ahmed Ahnaf, is also frustrated due to the delay in ensuring justice for her son's killing.

"No progress has been made in the investigation into my son's death. Due to the delays, the witnesses of the incident are losing confidence and are now afraid of giving statements," said Zartaj Parveen, mother of Shafiq Uddin, 17, who was shot dead in the Mirpur-10 area during the uprising.

She lodged a complaint with the ICT prosecution on October 19 last year.

Another July uprising victim, journalist Mehedi Hasan's father Mosharraf Hossain, demanded justice within the tenure of the interim government.

After the uprising, the tribunal's investigation agency was restructured, and there are now 25 investigation officers, according to the agency's website.

Tajul Islam recently said the people demand swift justice, but trials for crimes against humanity are not ordinary; they cannot proceed under street pressure.

"This is a matter of law and professional investigation," he said, cautioning that rushing may jeopardise the case and undermine justice.