In 2018, facing widespread student protests demanding reform, the Awami League-led government conceded and effectively abolished the quota system for government recruitment.

However, in June 2024, a High Court verdict overturned the previous decision, reinstating the quota policy. The ruling sparked renewed anger among students, triggering nationwide demonstrations.

Out of these protests emerged an unprecedented mass uprising, now known in history as the “July Revolution.” Between 1 July and 5 August 2024, the five-week movement saw active participation from students, youth, job seekers, and people from all walks of life. Its eventual outcome marked the end of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s long-standing authoritarian rule.

Following the revolution, an international tribunal was formed, which officially indicted Sheikh Hasina. The charge sheet detailed how her autocratic, fascist, and dictatorial governance was dismantled by the July Revolution.

The same case also named the Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, as co-defendants.

During proceedings, Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun later turned state witness. A total of 81 individuals were listed as witnesses in the case.

The formal charge sheet comprised 135 pages of detailed documentation, outlining suppression of the movement, human rights violations, and state-sponsored abuse. It was presented in court by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, along with Prosecutors Md Abdus Sobhan Tarafder and Md Mizanul Islam. The presentation was broadcast live on television.

The indictment included activities by the Awami League since independence up to 5 August. It stated: “Under fascist leader Sheikh Hasina, members of law enforcement—loyal to the regime and politically backed—and armed militant wings of the Bangladesh Awami League, its affiliate organisations, and the 14-party alliance carried out widespread, systematic, targeted persecution knowingly. This resulted in the killing of over 1,500 unarmed anti-discrimination protesters and caused permanent blindness, disfigurement, and serious injury to more than 25,000 individuals, constituting crimes against humanity.”

The widespread and systematic attacks against innocent and unarmed student protesters during the July Revolution were knowingly orchestrated by the accused. Based on the review of documentary and oral evidence, the investigation concluded that between 1 July and 5 August, Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun committed crimes against humanity as defined under Sections 3(2)(a)(g)(h), 4(1), and 4(3) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973. These offences are punishable under Sections 20(2) and 20A of the Act.

According to published reports and official documents, the student movement that began in Dhaka in early July 2024 was initially a peaceful protest. However, the reinstatement of the quota system ignited widespread discontent across educational institutions nationwide. Students, grappling with economic hardship and unemployment, had hoped for merit-based entry into limited public sector jobs—a hope that was dashed.

Consequently, students and citizens launched an anti-discrimination movement, which rapidly extended beyond Bangladesh's borders and inspired widespread support among the diaspora. Many expatriates returned home to join the July Revolution directly, with some reportedly sacrificing their lives in the process.

The early phase of the movement saw tensions escalate after the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division declined to suspend the High Court’s 5 June verdict reinstating the quota system on 4 July.

On 6 July, students launched the “Bangla Blockade” campaign.

On 10 July, protesters declared they would continue demonstrations unless a stay order was issued on direct recruitment quotas (grades 9 to 13) and a promise was made to reform the quota system through a “dedicated commission” and subsequent legislation.

On 14 July, demonstrators submitted a memorandum to the President demanding rational reform of the quota system through a mass procession.

That evening, then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a provocative statement during a press conference at Ganabhaban, mocking the protesters as “collaborators and descendants of collaborators.”

Following her remarks, student protests erupted that night. On campuses across the country, including Dhaka University, students chanted slogans such as “Who are you? Who am I? Collaborator, collaborator?” and “Who said it? Who said it? Dictator, dictator?”

On 15 July, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that “Chhatra League will respond to the protesters’ collaborative slogans.”

At noon on 15 July, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain threatened the protesters, distorting their slogans and vowing to “see their end.”

Later that day, Chhatra League and affiliated Awami League activists launched indiscriminate armed attacks on quota reform protesters at Dhaka University. Firearms were visibly carried by several attackers.

The incident left many injured, including a significant number of female students, sparking widespread condemnation of the Awami League across the country.

On 16 July, Abu Sayeed, a student coordinator at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, was shot dead by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Amir Hossain and others.

Following his death, students nationwide took to the streets, facing successive attacks from police, Chhatra League, and Jubo League activists.

During this period, the government deployed police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the elite SWAT unit against protesters.

Armoured vehicles bearing UN insignia were used to suppress the student-led movement.

As brutal assaults on protesting students intensified, ordinary citizens—including workers and rickshaw pullers—joined the demonstrations.

Through the July Revolution, students and citizens overthrew Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian, fascist, and totalitarian regime.

However, the path to removing Hasina and her collaborators was not easy. To achieve the revolution’s success, at least 1,400 people of various ages, professions, religions, and beliefs were martyred, including 12–13% children.

Additionally, more than 17,700 individuals were arrested or detained in efforts to suppress the movement. Their names were published in official gazettes at various times.

To bring about the uprising’s success, over 35,000 people from diverse backgrounds were injured. According to government and non-government sources, at least 25,000 sustained serious physical injuries.

Some protesters lost their eyesight, others became disabled, and many suffered psychological trauma. Ultimately, they transformed Bangladesh from an authoritarian, fascist, and totalitarian state into a free, just, and equitable nation.

Regarding the importance of justice, it was stated that the July Uprising—driven by the ultimate sacrifice of Gen Z (those born after 1997) and the masses—ushered in a new Bangladesh, dubbed “Bangladesh 2.0.”

Therefore, to prevent the resurgence of fascist rule, it is essential to ensure justice for the heinous crimes against humanity committed during July in an appropriate forum.

The investigation process aims to ensure justice for the crimes against humanity committed by the accused during the July Revolution, specifically, the systematic and widespread attacks knowingly carried out against innocent, unarmed students and citizens.

As part of collective responsibility, a formal complaint (No. 127) was registered against Sheikh Hasina and two others.

The initial investigating officer was Deputy Director Md. Jane Alam Khan. The investigation was later conducted by Deputy Director Md. Alamgir (PPM), with support from Special Investigator Tanvir Hasan Zoha.

Investigator Md. Alamgir submitted the investigation report on 12 May. A supplementary complaint was filed on May 31, followed by the formal presentation of charges on June 1.

On 10 July, charges were formally framed against Sheikh Hasina. Tribunal-1 scheduled the opening statement for August 3 and the first witness testimony for August 4.

As of 25 June, 27 cases have been filed in the tribunal since 5 August. These cases name 206 individuals as accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Of them, 73 have been arrested. One accused has died in custody.

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