DUCSU leaders demand trial of those responsible

Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) leaders have demanded the trial of those responsible for enforced disappearances, killings, and human rights violations 'committed under state patronage', report agencies.

DUCSU raised the demand in a statement signed by DUCSU Vice President (VP) Abu Shadik Kayem, General Secretary (GS) S M Farhad, and Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Mohiuddin Khan on Saturday.

They said officials of DGFI, RAB, and other related military and law enforcement agencies who were directly or indirectly involved in these crimes must be brought to justice.

"Unless true justice is established in the country, no law enforcement agency-be it the army, RAB, or police-will regain the trust of people. Bringing the criminals under trial will not diminish the honour of the army, RAB, or police but will instead transform them into more credible and people-oriented institutions," said the statement.

The investigation of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances must be conducted transparently, impartially and according to international standards so that the victim families can get justice.

The previous regime was the darkest period in Bangladesh's history during which enforced disappearances, killings, torture, and extrajudicial executions took place under state shelter, reads the statement.

According to the report of Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, over 1,800 complaints have already been submitted and the victims include ordinary citizens, students, working-class people, and political activists.