For Mitu, it was not just another ordinary day. She awaited this day (17 November) with anxious anticipation as the fond memories of her younger brother kept haunting her since his demise during the July Uprising last year.

On the other hand, Abul Hossain put in every effort to keep her college-going daughter safe. But all his attempts went in vain even after sending her off to her grandmother’s house.

Both of them were killed by law enforcement members during the July Uprising who, acting upon Hasina’s direct orders, swooped down on the protesters without showing any mercy.  

After all these, when the verdict against Hasina for committing crimes against humanity was delivered on Monday, family members of the victims’ families got some respite from the unbearable agony of losing a loved one. 

Families of victims killed during the July Uprising have expressed satisfaction over the verdict while putting stress on carrying out the sentence as soon as possible.

Immediately after the announcement of the verdict, family members told the Daily Sun that they demand a public execution of the murderer Hasina.

Mitu Akhtar, elder sister of July martyr Ismail Hossain Rabbi, said, “The ICT has delivered the verdict. Now we want her (Sheikh Hasina) to be hanged publicly - nothing less - as she emptied the laps of so many mothers.”

“They shot my brother right on his forehead. There will be no peace for me until I see those who carried out this killing - and those who ordered it - hanged,” added Mitu with tears rolling down her face after the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced Hasina to death.

Rabbi was shot dead by police on 4 August during the uprising. His family found his body at Dhaka Medical College Hospital the following day, 5 August. Later that same day, his two sisters, Mitu and Mim, marched while carrying Rabbi’s body on their shoulders.

Mitu is not alone. Countless family members of the July martyrs, as well as injured survivors, visited the tribunal to hear Hasina’s death verdict in person. Their demand, they said, was not only the verdict but also its swift implementation.

Among them was Ramzan Ali, brother of martyr Abu Sayeed. Monday’s verdict also covered Abu Sayeed’s killing.

“We want to see the verdict implemented quickly,” he told the Daily Sun.

Abu Sayeed’s father, Maqbul Hossain, said the process must not end with merely announcing the verdict, while his mother, Monowara Begum, said exemplary punishment must be ensured “so that no more mothers’ wombs are left empty”.

Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha, brother of martyr Mir Mugdho, said that this verdict has no value unless Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal are brought back to the country.

“If the execution is not carried out, Awami loyalists will continue their propaganda. Therefore, they must be brought back to the country as soon as possible and the verdict must be implemented,” he added.

When asked about his reaction, Wasim Akram’s (July martyr from Chattogram) father Shafi Alam struggled to hold back his tears. He then said, “Not only Hasina, every identified killer, attacker, and mastermind must get capital punishment.”

Meanwhile, martyr Faisal Ahmed Shanto’s mother Kohinur Akhter said the verdict brought her some peace, but nothing could ever bring her son back. “Until the sentence is executed, I cannot be at peace fully,” she said.

Syed Gaziur Rahman, father of another July martyr Syed Muntasir Rahman, came to the tribunal carrying a banner demanding Hasina’s execution. He expressed satisfaction upon hearing of the capital punishment.

“I am happy today. But Sheikh Hasina was involved in so many murders and enforced disappearances that even hanging her fourteen thousand times would not be enough,” he said.

“We want the verdict implemented during the tenure of this government,” he added.

Abul Hossain, father of Nafisa Hossain Marwa - an HSC second-year student killed in Savar - travelled from Tongi to attend the hearing.

“We sent her to her grandmother’s house in Savar to keep her away from the movement. But she went to Jahangirnagar University and joined the protests, where she was shot dead,” he said.

“The whole country witnessed their crimes. Everyone who ordered the shooting and those who instigated it must be hanged,” he added.

Alongside the martyrs’ family members, several injured fighters from the July Uprising were also present at the tribunal. One of them, Jihad Islam, demanded that Hasina be brought back to face justice, saying, “If international pressure can be mounted on India, she can be returned quickly.”

Echoing him, another July fighter, Nahidul, said, “This verdict must be implemented to ensure no one can ever again become a fascist ruler.”

The reporter can be reached at: [email protected]