An exhibition titled 'মৃত্যুদণ্ড থেকে বেঁচে ফেরা' (Surviving the Death Penalty) at the National Museum's Nalini Kanta Bhattasali Display Hall reveals the harrowing experiences of individuals who were sentenced to death but later exonerated. The exhibition, which runs until June 15, features photographs and stories of 13 families who survived the death penalty. The survivors shared their experiences of police torture, forced confessions, and the long legal battles that left them penniless. The exhibition also highlights the inhumane conditions of condemned cells and the need for legal reforms to compensate the wrongfully convicted.
Survivors' Stories
Sheikh Jahid, who spent 20 years in condemned cells, described his daily fear of execution. Majeda Begum, a mother sentenced to death while carrying her 13-month-old son, recounted her torture and the loss of her memory. Sonaruddin and Alamgir Hossain also shared their experiences of being wrongfully convicted and the impact on their lives.
Call for Legal Reforms
The exhibition and a discussion organized by BLAST and The Death Penalty Project called for legal reforms to address the lengthy judicial process, inhumane conditions of condemned cells, and the need for compensation for the wrongfully convicted. The discussion was attended by legal experts, human rights activists, and survivors of the death penalty.
