Marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, the Bangladesh Civil Rights Society (BCRS) has called on the government to publicly identify hundreds of people who, it says, were reported killed in the violence but remain absent from the official state gazette.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, BCRS Chairman Zakir Hossain, Senior Vice Chairman Engineer A H M Moniruzzaman Dewan Manik, and Executive Director Sheikh Mohammad Tajul Islam paid tribute to those killed and injured during the July uprising, while urging the authorities to prepare what they described as a complete and accurate register of all victims.
The rights organization pointed to a significant discrepancy between casualty figures cited by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) and the government`s official gazette. According to BCRS, the OHCHR investigation estimated that around 1,400 people were killed during the July-August uprising, whereas the government has officially recognized 836 martyrs in the gazette.
BCRS said the gap of approximately 564 deaths raises important questions that require official clarification.
"The identities of those mentioned in the UN report but excluded from the government gazette, the circumstances surrounding their deaths, and the reasons for their omission from the official list should be investigated and disclosed to the nation," the organization said.
The group also noted that, according to the UN report, many of those killed included street children, teenagers, and innocent bystanders caught in the violence. It urged the government to identify these victims, trace their surviving family members, and ensure they receive appropriate state recognition and assistance.
BCRS further stressed that every person who lost their life during the July Mass Uprising deserves equal recognition, regardless of whether they have been included in the official gazette.
"The state has a responsibility to preserve the identity of every victim, honor their sacrifice, and ensure justice and equal dignity for all bereaved families," the statement said.
Calling for a transparent and comprehensive review, the organization argued that compiling an accurate and complete list of all those killed is essential both for historical accountability and for presenting an authentic record to future generations.