'Justice first, elections later': Citizens' committee  

National elections cannot be held in Bangladesh before ensuring justice for the killings under the Awami League's 15-year-old regime, the National Citizen's Committee said today (10 December).

"Murderers from the Awami League's reign must be brought to justice. Justice first, elections later. If we cannot make our martyrs and those injured [in the July uprising] realise their share of justice, then any situation, whether it is politics or elections, will fail," convener of the committee Nasir Uddin told a rally organised at the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan.

A mass gathering is underway at the Suhrawardy Udyan to mark International Human Rights Day, organised by Mayer Daak, a platform representing families of individuals who were victims of enforced disappearances allegedly carried out by government agencies during the Awami League's tenure. 

The event, which started in the afternoon, has brought together families of victims of enforced disappearances and killings, as well as leaders from political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Also present at the rally, BNP Standing Committee member Moyeen Khan said, "The people of Bangladesh follow the truth, the law, and human rights. They want their fundamental rights. The July revolution is proof of that. They sacrificed their lives in order to save [the country's] democracy."

Mentioning the ongoing reform process in the country's various sectors, he said whatever is being reformed today might also need to be amended in the future. 

"This has been going on since the beginning of civilisation. We are talking about reforms in the judiciary, constitution, administration etc. But first of all, we need reforms within our own selves…We are united when it comes to the country's independence and sovereignty."