Umama Fatema rejects US award

Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the Students Against Discriminations (SAD), has rejected the US State Department's "International Women of Courage" award.

She made the announcement through a message on her Facebook account on Saturday (March 29).

Explaining the reason behind rejecting the award, Umama mentioned, "The collective recognition of women activists is highly honorable for us. However, this award has been used to directly endorse Israel's brutal attack on Palestine in October 2023. By refusing acknowledgement of the Palestinian war for independence, the award has justified Israel's assault in a way that questions its neutrality. While the Palestinian people continue to be deprived of their fundamental human rights, including land rights, I am personally rejecting this award as a mark of respect for the Palestinian struggle for freedom."

The US State Department stated that women played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s student movement against the previous government's violent repression in July-August 2024. Despite threats and violence, they demonstrated extraordinary courage by standing alongside male protesters. When their male counterparts were arrested, these women devised new strategies to maintain communication and lead the movement. Even during internet blackouts, they found ways to bypass censorship, embodying true heroism amidst uncertainty.