Dhaka: The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance has revealed the involvement of several law enforcement agencies, including the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Detective Branch (DB), Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and general police in enforced disappearances. The commission plans to begin interrogating the implicated security personnel starting November 7.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, commission chairman Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury announced the findings during a press briefing at the commission’s auditorium. He disclosed that summonses have been issued for seven people for the initial day of questioning, with plans to summon additional personnel in subsequent sessions. The commission has received over 1,600 complaints, with 400 already scrutinized and 140 individuals interviewed.
Justice Chowdhury highlighted that the proper procedures for arrests were not followed
, with accused individuals being held for extended periods without being presented in court within the required 24 hours. He noted that many cases of enforced disappearances were politically motivated, though some were due to personal decisions by security personnel.
The commission has faced challenges in identifying more than 200 victims of enforced disappearance. Formed by the government on August 27, the five-member commission aims to identify individuals forcibly disappeared by law enforcement agencies from January 6, 2009, to August 5, 2024. The commission is led by Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, with members including Justice Farid Ahmed Shibli, human rights activists Nur Khan and Sazzad Hossain, and BRAC University teacher Nabila Idris.