Senior Supreme Court lawyer Sara Hossain has warned that justice pursued merely for show often results in fresh injustices.
Speaking at a national discussion, she emphasised that those responsible for serious human rights violations must be held accountable, but the justice process must be fair and transparent.
“Otherwise, it will not stand, nor will it satisfy the victims,” she cautioned.
Sara Hossain made the remarks during a dialogue titled “Truth and Healing Initiative in Post-Conflict Bangladesh”, held on Thursday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. The event was jointly organised by the International Institute of Law and Diplomacy and the Bangladesh 2.0 Initiative.
Referring to past and ongoing human rights violations, Sara Hossain noted that the discussion touched on enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture.
However, she questioned whether mass arrests and the filing of dozens or even hundreds of politically motivated cases against individuals would be considered under the scope of human rights violations. She stressed that such actions are still ongoing, and the judiciary seems indifferent.
Addressing the issue of financial support for those injured during the July mass uprising, Sara Hossain highlighted the need for individual assessments. “Not all victims are in the same condition– some have lost limbs, some have lost both eyes– so support must be tailored to each person’s needs.”
Prominent photographer and activist Shahidul Alam also spoke at the event.
He criticised the ongoing impunity, stating, “Those who suffered enforced disappearances and killings under a fallen regime are still crying for justice, yet no one is listening– not even offering sympathy.”
Alam cautioned against turning such discussions into political theatre: “Are we to keep holding seminars while the media covers us, turning this into a performance? Is that what we want?”
He also urged political parties not to exploit the victims’ families for political gain. “This culture must end,” he said. “Calls for speedy justice must not come at the cost of fairness.”
Other speakers at the event included Huma Khan, Senior Human Rights Adviser at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Dhaka; Mustain Zahir, a member of the Constitutional Reform Commission under the caretaker government; Apurba Jahangir, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser; human rights expert Zianul Kabir; Brigadier (Retd.) Hasan Nasir; Colonel (Retd.) Hasinur Rahman; and Saif Arefin, who was injured during the July uprising.
