Dartmouth, Canada | July 27, 2025
The Global Center for Democratic Governance (GCDG), a Canada-based human rights organization, has strongly condemned the Gopalganj massacre in Bangladesh and called for an independent international investigation to ensure justice for the victims.
In an official statement issued Monday (July 28), GCDG described the massacre as “a crime against humanity,” declaring:
“We demand justice for every child, every tortured soul.”
According to GCDG, the violence peaked on July 16, 2025, when Bangladeshi military and police forces opened fire with live ammunition, killing at least five civilians in the Tungipara-Gopalganj area. Those killed on the spot included Dipto Saha (25), Ramzan Kazi (18), Emon Sheikh (24), and Sohel Molla (41). A fifth victim, Ramzan Munshi (32), succumbed to injuries sustained during the same incident.
These killings were reportedly preceded by a campaign of terror launched under the pretext of preparing for a rally by the pro-government National Citizens Party (NCP). The violence included widespread arrests, torture, and live-fire assaults on unarmed civilians. Over 500 people were arrested, and hundreds were injured, many critically. GCDG alleged that victims were denied medical treatment, and families were barred from funeral rites, post-mortems, and even the issuance of death certificates.
Particularly disturbing, the statement noted, was the arrest and degrading treatment of 18 children, including one who was detained simply for going out to buy milk. GCDG stated that these actions violate international humanitarian law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
GCDG further expressed alarm at the loss of the Bangladesh Army’s non-partisan status, noting that it appeared to act in coordination with police and local administration to target civilians. The crackdown followed threats by NCP activists to demolish the mausoleum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader, further fueling tensions in Gopalganj.
“This militarized suppression and the resulting massacre are grave breaches of international law,” the statement read.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus and backed by the military, has ruled Bangladesh since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024. Since then, the country has seen widespread human rights violations, including the beating deaths of hundreds, arbitrary detention of tens of thousands, and the destruction of thousands of homes and businesses. Attacks on political prisoners inside courtrooms have become routine.
The NCP, though unregistered, is widely regarded as the ruling regime’s political vehicle and is often referred to as the “King’s Party.” NCP activists have allegedly been involved in mob attacks, frequently conducted in the presence of security forces, particularly targeting Awami League supporters.
On February 5, 2025, NCP-affiliated groups demolished the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka. Soon after, the party announced a provocative “March to Gopalganj” program, implying intentions to desecrate the shrine of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In Gopalganj, a historic stronghold of the Awami League, resistance to these threats was fierce. The area is deeply tied to Sheikh Mujib’s legacy and remains a symbol of loyalty to his ideals. The crackdown on July 16 was widely seen as a politically motivated act of repression, designed to suppress dissent and instill fear.
GCDG stated that it has begun an independent inquiry into the incident and has collected testimonies from survivors and victims’ families.
In its official demands, GCDG called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Procedures Mandate Holders, democratic governments, and global civil society to:
- Urgently investigate the Gopalganj massacre
- Secure the immediate release of detained children and civilians
- Hold accountable those responsible for extrajudicial killings and torture
- Issue emergency communications to halt ongoing violations
“The Gopalganj massacre is a crime against humanity. We demand justice for every victim and call for international accountability,” GCDG concluded.
