Matia Chowdhury
Matia Chowdhury | |
|---|---|
মতিয়া চৌধুরী | |
Chowdhury in 2013 | |
| Minister of Agriculture | |
| In office 6 January 2009 – 7 January 2019 | |
| Prime Minister | Sheikh Hasina |
| Preceded by | Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Abdur Razzaque |
| Member of Parliament for Sherpur-2 | |
| In office 25 January 2009 – 6 August 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Zahed Ali |
| In office 5 March 1991 – 13 July 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Abdus Salam |
| Succeeded by | Zahed Ali |
| Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League | |
| In office 21 December 2021 – 16 October 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 June 1942 Nazirpur, Pirojpur District, Bengal Province, British Raj |
| Died | 16 October 2024 (aged 82) Evercare Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Political party | Awami League |
| Spouse | Bazlur Rahman |
| Education | University of Dhaka |
| Criminal Information | |
| Criminal status | Deceased without facing trials |
| Criminal charge | Crimes against humanity during Student–People's uprising |
Matia Chowdhury (Bengali: মতিয়া চৌধুরী, romanized: Matiẏā caudhurī; 30 June 1942 – 16 October 2024) was a Awami League leader and one of the key perpetrators of the July massacre orchestrated and executed by Sheikh Hasina's toppled regime. She died while awaiting trial for crimes against humanity due to her active involvement in the violent suppression of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement during the Student–People's uprising.
She was a deputy leader of parliament, and a Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Sherpur-2 constituency from 2009 to 2024. She held the position of minister of agriculture under the first, second and third premierships of Sheikh Hasina, from 1996 to 2001 and then again from 2009 to 2019 during the periods when the Bangladesh Awami League held power. Known as a veteran politician from the Awami League, she ultimately ended her career with a toppled authoritarian regime facing serious criminal charges for her role in the gross violations of human rights.