Bangladesh Embassy in Berlin Commemorates First Anniversary of July 2024 Uprising

Berlin, August 5, 2025 – The Bangladesh Embassy in Berlin marked the first anniversary of the historic July 2024 Uprising, which led to the fall of the fascist regime in Bangladesh, with a series of commemorative events. The programs, held in collaboration with Brandenburg Technical University (BTU) in Cottbus and in Leipzig, celebrated the resilience and sacrifices of the Bangladeshi people.

On August 4, the Embassy and BTU hosted a gathering in Cottbus, where students and professionals shared personal stories of the uprising, reflecting on the struggles under the oppressive regime. They expressed their commitment to strengthening German-Bangladesh cooperation in research, academia, and supporting Bangladesh’s democratic transition under Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Rahat Bin Zaman, Deputy Chief of Mission, paid tribute to the martyrs and injured, urging the youth to become future change-makers and enhance Bangladesh-Germany relations through research, technology transfer, and scientific collaboration. He also highlighted the Embassy’s post-uprising initiatives to promote a democratic and progressive Bangladesh.

On August 2, a similar event in Leipzig saw enthusiastic participation from students, professionals, and community members from Chemnitz, Dresden, Halle, and nearby cities. Ambassador H.E. Muhammad Zulqar Nain paid homage to over 1,400 martyrs, including 15% children, and approximately 25,000 injured, with nearly 700 suffering partial or complete vision loss, as reported by the United Nations. He called on the diaspora to draw inspiration from the Bangladeshi people’s 16-year struggle against oligarchic control, enforced disappearances, and suppression of free speech. Zaman thanked diaspora members for raising awareness of the regime’s atrocities in Germany and sought their continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic journey. Kazi M. Jabed Iqbal, Minister (Political), emphasized the diaspora’s role in promoting Bangladesh’s national interests globally.

Both events featured photo and poster exhibitions showcasing key moments of the uprising, alongside screenings of documentaries that vividly portrayed the struggle. Interactive sessions allowed diaspora members to share personal stories, traumas, and aspirations for Bangladesh’s interim government and its future. The Embassy stressed the diaspora’s pivotal role in reshaping Bangladesh into a democratic, progressive, and equitable nation.