In the aftermath of the tragic July-August mass killings, the nation is grappling with a wave of vague and nonspecific criminal accusations that are increasingly being used to initiate baseless proceedings. These accusations are not only fuelling harassment but are also contributing to a broader crisis that threatens both the country’s business community and its economic stability. The gravity of this situation necessitates the establishment of one or more independent fact-finding commissions to investigate these incidents, hold the true perpetrators accountable, and protect innocent business owners from unjust criminal proceedings.

Misuse of legal proceedings for harassment

The pattern emerging in the aftermath of these tragic events is disturbing. Business owners—who have no apparent connection to the atrocities—are being named in First Information Reports (FIRs) or criminal cases. In many instances, it appears that the complainants themselves have little understanding of why these individuals are being implicated. This misuse of legal instruments is a clear indication that criminal proceedings are being exploited for ulterior motives, particularly to harass the business community and extort bribes through law enforcement.

Such actions are not merely an abuse of power but a deliberate attempt to destabilise the nation’s economy. By targeting the business community with unfounded accusations, those behind these machinations seek to undermine the progress made in the wake of the July revolution. If unchecked, this trend could undo the gains of a hard-fought struggle, throwing the nation into deeper economic turmoil.

Impact on credible justice and economic stability

This wave of arbitrary criminalisation is not only an injustice to the business community but also a significant obstacle to achieving justice for the victims of the July-August killings. By allowing false accusations to proliferate, the legal system risks becoming overwhelmed with cases that have no basis in fact, diverting attention and resources away from prosecuting those truly responsible for the atrocities. The risk is clear: the continued harassment of the business community, if left unaddressed, will weaken the pursuit of justice and potentially allow those connected to the past fascist regime to evade accountability.

Moreover, the economic ramifications of this harassment are far-reaching. The business community, a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, is already feeling the ripple effects. Foreign investors and business partners are losing confidence in their Bangladeshi counterparts, withdrawing from agreements, and hesitating to continue operations. Repeated publications of defamatory news linking business owners to criminal activities have exacerbated this loss of trust. For many, the damage to their reputations has become a nearly insurmountable obstacle to conducting business internationally.

The role of a fact-finding commission

In light of these challenges, it is imperative that the interim government establish an independent fact-finding commission—or several commissions—to investigate the July-August killings and their aftermath comprehensively. The primary task of such a commission would be to conduct impartial and transparent investigations to uncover the truth behind the atrocities. This would include identifying those truly responsible—whether they are members of law enforcement agencies, remnants of the fascist regime, or other individuals or entities complicit in the violence.

The commission would also play a critical role in distinguishing between genuine perpetrators and innocent business owners who have been wrongly implicated. By doing so, it can ensure that the justice system is not manipulated as a tool for harassment or extortion. Transparent findings and public reporting by the commission would restore confidence in the justice system, both domestically and internationally, and provide the business community with the protection and reassurance it needs to continue contributing to the economy.

A comprehensive approach for justice and economic recovery

For such a commission to be effective, it must be empowered to operate with full independence from political interference. It should adopt a comprehensive approach, investigating not only the individuals directly involved in the mass killings but also those who have sought to manipulate the judicial process for personal or political gain. The commission should also work in tandem with the judiciary to ensure that the findings are used to dismiss frivolous or malicious criminal cases that have been filed against innocent individuals and businesses.

The establishment of a fact-finding commission would not only bring accountability to those responsible for the mass killings but would also help restore the nation’s economic integrity. By addressing the baseless accusations currently plaguing the business community, the commission could reassure foreign investors and business partners that Bangladesh remains a viable and trustworthy market. Additionally, clearing the names of wrongly accused business owners would allow them to focus on rebuilding and contributing to the country’s post-revolution recovery.

The current situation cannot be allowed to persist. The misuse of criminal proceedings to harass and extort the business community is not only unjust but poses a severe threat to the nation’s economic and political stability. If left unchecked, these actions will impede the pursuit of justice for the July-August killings and undermine the gains of the revolution. The establishment of one or more independent fact-finding commissions is crucial to ensuring that the true perpetrators are held accountable, while innocent individuals and businesses are shielded from baseless accusations.

The time for action is now. Only through transparent and impartial investigations can the nation move forward and ensure that justice is served for the atrocities committed and that the economy is safeguarded from further destabilisation. It is up to the interim government to take decisive action and restore faith in the legal and economic systems, both at home and abroad.