Families of slain July Uprising activists seek Chankharpul murder verdict review

They have submitted a memorandum to the International Crimes Tribunal

Family members of slain July Uprising activists have submitted a memorandum seeking a review of the verdict in a crimes against humanity case involving the killing of six people in Dhaka’s Chankharpul during the 2024 movement.

Eight family members of those killed in the August 2024 Anti-discrimination Student Movement sent the memorandum to the registrar of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday.

Legal experts, however, noted that while the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act allows for an appeal to the Appellate Division against a verdict, there is no provision for a "review".

Mir Mahmudur Rahman Dipto, elder brother of the late student activist Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, is among the eight members who signed the memorandum.

On Monday, International Crimes Tribunal-1 delivered its judgement on the Chankharpul killings. Of the eight accused police officers, three were sentenced to death.

Those sentenced to death are former Dhaka Metropolitan Police chief Habibur Rahman, former DMP joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakrabarti, and Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam, a former additional deputy commissioner of the Ramna zone.

The memorandum states that those who lost their lives in the violence of the July 2024 mass uprising will remain eternally remembered as “martyrs”.

“But it is with deep concern and disappointment that the families of slain activists have received the verdict,” it says.

The memorandum lists four reasons for their frustration:

• Despite the existence of clear video footage, the families claim it was not properly reflected in the verdict, calling it a conflict with the fundamental principles of justice.
• The families expressed doubt over whether the verdict would stand in the long term, arguing that the "main perpetrators" received insufficient punishment while only high-ranking officials were sentenced to death.
• They claim the verdict contradicts the spirit of the July movement, causing mental distress to the families of the "1,400 slain activists".
• There are fears that this ruling sets a negative precedent that could adversely affect future trials for crimes against humanity.

Ziaur Rashid Tipu, defence lawyer for a convicted constable, clarified the legal standing: "There is an opportunity to appeal to the Appellate Division. However, under the tribunal’s law, there is no scope for a review."

Prosecutor Mizanul Islam added, "We are preparing for an appeal."

Under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, an appeal must be filed within 30 days of the verdict.

The law mandates that such appeals be resolved within 60 days of filing.