Journalist leaders demand speedy trial over July uprising killings, rehabilitation of injured, and justice for victims nationwide. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Aug 5, 2026 (BSS) - Journalist leaders today demanded the speedy trial of those responsible for the killings during the July uprising, rehabilitation of the injured and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators to prevent any future misuse of state power.

They were addressing a rally organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) on the premises of Jatiya Press Club marking the second anniversary of the student-people's victory and the fall of the Awami League government.

A "Victory Rally" was brought out on the occasion that paraded different streets in the city.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director & Chief Editor and former Jatiya Press Club President Kamal Uddin Shabuj, Press Information Department (PID) Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, DUJ President Md. Shahidul Islam, National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz and Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust Managing Director Mohammad Abdul Bashir, among others, joined the rally.

Speaking at the rally, Kader Gani Chowdhury said the autocratic regime had fallen following the united movement of students and the masses. The nation, he said, would always remember the sacrifices of students, children and ordinary people who laid down their lives.

He demanded the speedy trial of those responsible for indiscriminate killings and human rights violations, urging the government to take legal action against the accused those who are now in the country and bring back those staying abroad for justice.

He said ensuring punishment for genocide and crimes against humanity would help prevent the recurrence of such violence against citizens.

Md. Shahidul Islam said around 1,500 people were killed and nearly 30,000 were left permanently disabled before ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country.

He also said that six journalists were killed and around 1,500 journalists were injured across the country during the movement.

Shahidul Islam called for a neutral trial over the killings as well as allegations of state money laundering. 

The struggle for journalists' rights and the establishment of democracy would continue until their demands were fulfilled, he added.

BFUJ President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury, DUJ President Md. Shahidul Islam, General Secretary Khurshid Alam, Joint General Secretary Didarul Alam Didar and Organising Secretary Sayeed Khan led the rally.

Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association President AKM Mohsin, BFUJ Vice-President Khairul Bashar, Publicity Secretary Sajan Saju, Office Secretary Abu Bakar, DUJ Executive Members Talukdar Rumi, Fakhrul Islam, Raju Ahmed and HM Alamin, National Press Club Executive Member Shahnaz Begum Poly and woman journalist leader Masuda Akter, among others, were present.