Verdict marks turning point for accountability: Yunus

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus issued a statement on Monday, describing the International Crimes Tribunal verdict delivered earlier in the day as a historic affirmation of justice and the rule of law in Bangladesh.

In his written statement, Yunus said the judgment sent a clear message that “no one, regardless of power, is above the law,” and noted that the ruling represents “vital, if insufficient, justice” for those affected by the violent crackdown during the July-August 2024 uprising.

Referring to the casualties, the Chief Adviser said as many as 1,400 people lost their lives, including students and children. He said months of testimony revealed the use of excessive and lethal force—including gunfire from helicopters—against unarmed demonstrators whose “only weapons were their voices.”

“These were not statistics,” he said. “They were students, parents, and citizens with rights.”

Professor Yunus said the verdict marks Bangladesh’s return to “global currents of accountability,” adding that those who demanded democratic rights helped pave the way for this change – many of them at the cost of their own lives.

He acknowledged that while the ruling is an important milestone, rebuilding public trust remains a major challenge. “The path ahead requires not just legal accountability but rebuilding trust between institutions and citizens,” he said.

The Chief Adviser expressed confidence that the country will move forward with dignity and courage.

“With commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and each person’s potential, justice will not merely survive in Bangladesh,” Yunus concluded. “It will prevail and sustain.”