The bodies of unidentified martyrs of the July uprising will be exhumed following international forensic protocols, said Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Chief and Additional Inspector General of Police Md Sibgat Ullah.
He made the remarks at a press conference on Sunday morning at the graveyard adjacent to the Rayerbazar Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in the capital, outlining the process for identifying the unidentified martyrs through exhumation.
“We have profound respect for those who shed their blood for the country. Many of those buried here remain unidentified. It is our responsibility to the nation to determine their identities,” Sibgat Ullah said, adding that the programme marks the beginning of a significant national effort.
He said Argentine forensic expert Luis Fondebrider, working with the United Nations human rights mechanism, is leading the operation. Fondebrider has carried out similar forensic identification missions in 65 countries over the past four decades.
“All steps—including exhumation, post-mortem examinations and DNA sampling—will be carried out in line with international standards, specifically the Minnesota Protocol,” he said, adding that officials from city corporations, Dhaka Medical College, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, divisional commissioners and forensic experts have received necessary training.
Initially, 114 graves have been identified based on applications received, though the final number may vary, he said.
After exhumation, post-mortems will be conducted and bone or tissue samples collected to create DNA profiles. If identities are confirmed, the remains will be reburied with due religious respect.
Responding to a question, the CID chief said families would be able to claim the bodies once identification is confirmed.
He added that relatives of 10 individuals have applied so far and urged others seeking identification to contact the CID hotline, through which DNA samples of family members would be collected.
Noting that it is unclear who is buried in which grave, he said it was not possible to specify how long the process would take. “However, we firmly believe this initiative will allow us to identify all the martyrs,” he said.
He called for cooperation from all quarters, stressing that under international guidelines, no images or sensitive information related to the bodies can be published.
“This is a matter of dignity and human rights. We seek everyone’s cooperation,” he said, expressing sympathy for families who have waited years to learn the fate of their loved ones.
He also thanked all relevant agencies, doctors, city corporations, the district administration, the DMP and international experts for their support.
Speaking at the press conference, Luis Fondebrider said: “I can assure that the entire process will be conducted in line with international forensic standards. The CID will be supported in accordance with globally accepted norms.”
Earlier, on December 2, CID officials inspected the graves of the unidentified martyrs at the Rayerbazar Intellectuals’ Cemetery.
On August 4, Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman ordered the exhumation in response to a police petition.
The application was filed before the court by Mohammadpur Police Station Sub-Inspector Mahidul Islam.
The petition stated that during the anti-discrimination student movement—born out of the quota reform protests—men and women of various ages lost their lives.
