Bangladesh, July 16 -- President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have paid tribute to those killed in the July Uprising, calling on the nation to build a democratic, just and humane Bangladesh inspired by their sacrifice.

The messages were issued on Wednesday before "July Martyrs' Day", observed annually on Jul 16 to commemorate the turning point of the student-led mass uprising.

Following the precedent set by the interim administration, the BNP government has again decided to observe the day nationally.

In his message, President Shahabuddin described the July Uprising as an outpouring of public anger against years of discrimination, corruption, enforced disappearances, killings, the denial of voting rights, rep...