[This statement was first published on facebook on 28 July 2024]
On July 18, we released a statement from Youth Policy Forum condemning the crackdown on student protesters by the government.
Further to that condemnation, we are calling for justice for students and citizens who lost their lives, were injured, and harassed through a letter signed by 50+ which includes YPF Advisors, YPF Fellows who are leading academicians, professionals and YPF team members.
Through this letter, we would like to reaffirm that we stand by students and citizens in their quest for justice, and we support their rightful and just demands. We strongly demand an independent and impartial probe into the killings of individuals and that exacting, appropriate judicial justice is carried out accordingly. We also strongly demand that all forms of harassment students and citizens have faced, or are facing, are halted in every manner. We condemn the detention of protestors, as well as the forcible custody of several protesting leaders. We also condemn all sorts of vandalism that ensued.
The letter reads as follows:
As citizens and friends of Bangladesh, and members of the Youth Policy Forum, we are greatly distressed by the unprecedented violence and repression that students and citizens have faced for the past two weeks. Our organization was established in 2018, in the aftermath of the first quota reform protests, with the belief that Bangladesh needed a peaceful, constructive space for policy dialogue and the promotion of reforms. The violence and repression of students runs counter to this belief, and we deeply condemn the perpetrators of this violence — primarily done by the government, police forces, as well as pro-government groups such as the Bangladesh Chhatra League.
We stand by students and citizens in their quest for justice, and we support their rightful and just demands. We strongly demand an independent and impartial probe into the killings of over 209 individuals (Prothom Alo, 27th July 2024) – a toll that is rising, and is underreported (Prothom Alo, 28th July 2024) – and that exacting, appropriate judicial justice is carried out accordingly. We also strongly demand that all forms of harassment students and citizens have faced, or are facing, are halted in every manner. We condemn the detention of protestors, as well as the forcible custody of several protesting leaders (Daily Star, 28th July 2024). We also condemn all sorts of vandalism that ensued.
As a youth-led organization, we lend our support – however possible – to the young people of this country who are simply standing up for what is right.
We pray for the families of the people who have lost their lives and continue to monitor the situation gravely.
28 July 2024, Dhaka
Signed by:
Professor Mushtaq Khan, Dina Hossain, Professor Naomi Hossain, Asif M Shahan, Tarek Abdullah Al-Munim, Ahsan ul Haque Helal, Dr Marzia Hoque, Md Sakib Khaled, G M Rakibul Islam, Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Dr Md Samiul Haque, Dr. Sebastian Groh, Mohammed Abdul Baten, Shazzad Hossain Mukit, Dr M Tasdik Hasan, Md Raihan Maruf, Ayreen Khan, Dr. Raisa Sara, Raisa Shamma, Nahian Rashha, Fatema Tuz Johoora, Aamer Mostaque Ahmed, Md Abir Hasan, Farabi Mahmud, Tausif Hossain, G M Shuvo, Zaheer Abbas, Mahpara Nuren Ishfer, Nusanta Samayel Audri, Md. Sad Ebne Walid, Rashidul Hasan, Rifah Nanjiba Ridi, Muhammad Irfan Sadik, Jawad Shams, Zara Mustafa, Tasmia Sarwar, Muhammad Mujtaba, Nafees Ahamed, Asif Khan Ullash, Sharmin Akhter, Md. Khairul Islam, Nahian Nawar, Anika Bushra, Faria Jannat Prova, Faria Jahan Noor, Mehedi Hassan, Enam Ahmed Shuvo, Shabnam Sultana, Momtahina Ibnat, Syeda Mubassir Mahjabin Nahian, Tahrima Bhuiyan, Tahia Afra Jannati, Shakila Nahar, Sirazum Munira Raiyan, Tabassum Elahi, Aaqib Md Shatil, Safrina Kamal, Maysha Samiha Eshika, Anika Nasrin, Mysha Farah, Arman Mohsin Yamin, Insia Ishtiaq, Arpeeta Shams Mizan, Dr. Sonia Zaman Khan, Palki Ahmad, Hasnath A Kalam.
