Dhaka: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed concerns today over the issue of enforced disappearances during the Awami League regime, stating that democracy-loving citizens were deeply troubled by these occurrences. Fakhrul’s comments came in a message issued to mark the International Week of the Disappeared.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Fakhrul highlighted that despite strong international protests against enforced disappearances in Bangladesh, the previous Awami League government continued to abduct political opponents, including BNP leaders and activists, for over a decade and a half, ignoring global criticism. He accused the fallen Awami League government of consistently denying the existence of these disappearances in international forums, despite evidence to the contrary.
Fakhrul emphasized that only a democratic government, elected through a fair election, can guarantee the security of the populace, as such a government remains accountable to its citizens. Citing an international human rights organization, he reported that approximately 666 individuals were victims of enforced disappearances by Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies from 2009 to March 2024. He noted that BNP’s data suggests even higher numbers, with some victims being killed, others shown as arrested after significant delays, and many still missing.
The BNP Secretary General extended his sympathy to all victims of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh and across the globe, as well as to their families.