Thousands are expected to gather in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of deadly protests that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Events including rallies, concerts and prayer sessions will culminate in a declaration touted as a road map for democratic reform, stemming from an uprising sparked by economic woes and repression that led to an interim government headed by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus.
"Together, we will build a Bangladesh where tyranny will never rise again," Mr Yunus said in a message to the nation a year after protests forced Ms Hasina to flee to neighbouring India. He paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the process.
A peaceful, fair and transparent election could be held early next year, Mr Yunus said, pledging a return to full democratic rule at a time of mounting pressure for a swifter transition amid growing labour unrest.
"Fallen autocrats and their self-serving allies remain active," he added, and called for unity to protect the gains of the uprising while his government holds reform talks with political parties and civil society. His interim government had launched sweeping reforms, while trials for those responsible for the "July killings" were progressing swiftly, he added.
Security forces and police were on high alert in the capital, with armoured vehicles patrolling the city to ensure any attempts by supporters of Ms Hasina's banned Awami League political party to disrupt the events are deterred.
"Let this anniversary not be a day of retrospection, but a rallying cry for a brighter tomorrow," Ms Hasina said in an open letter to the people of Bangladesh. She pointed out she had never resigned as prime minister.
The July Declaration, to be announced later in the day by Mr Yunus, will recognise the 2024 student-led uprising and the shift from authoritarian rule to democratic renewal. Despite some opposition, it is backed by major political groups, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Prosecutors have filed five charges against Ms Hasina, including failure to prevent mass murder, which amount to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law. The first witness in the trial gave evidence on Sunday.
"Sheikh Hasina was the nucleus around whom all the crimes committed during the July-August uprising revolved," chief prosecutor Tajul Islam told the court.
