Dhaka: The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was observed across Bangladesh today, focusing on the issues faced by those who have vanished under suspicious or unlawful circumstances.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, various human rights organizations, including "Mayer Dak," a group of victims' families, organized programs to raise awareness and demand justice. This observance coincides with the recent approval by the government's Council of Advisers of the draft "Enforced Disappearance Prevention, Remedies and Protection Ordinance 2025." The ordinance was approved at the Chief Adviser's Office during the council's 40th meeting on August 28.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam detailed at a press conference that the draft ordinance regards enforced disappearances as a continuous crime. It introduces severe penalties, including the death sentence, and criminalizes the use of secret detention centers. The ordinance will empower the National Human Rights Commission to handle complaints and lead investigations, establish special tribunals, and ensure trial completion within 120 days of charge framing. Additionally, it provides for the protection of victims and witnesses, along with compensation and legal support.
Shafiqul Alam stated, "The government is in the process of enacting effective laws to prevent any future cases of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh," emphasizing that feedback from both international and national human rights organizations was considered during the ordinance's drafting.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami also marked the day by releasing statements. BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Jamaat's Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar issued separate messages.
Globally, enforced disappearances are prevalent, especially in nations with autocratic regimes or political instability. Security forces in some countries often use such tactics against political dissidents. Victims' families are frequently left without information about their loved ones and are denied justice.
The United Nations has observed August 30 as the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances since 2011, aiming to ensure measures are taken to trace disappeared individuals and support their families. The day also commemorates the international convention adopted on December 20, 2006, by the UN General Assembly to prevent enforced disappearances and eliminate impunity for the crime. The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance was enacted in 2010, establishing August 30 as the official observance date.
In Bangladesh, enforced disappearances have become a prominent issue, particularly during the Awami League's rule, where reports by the Enforced Disappearance Commission and international organizations highlight secret detentions. Allegations have surfaced involving the abduction of opposition political leaders, activists, and journalists, with families claiming law enforcement agencies were responsible, yet the victims' fates remain unknown.
The issue gained further attention following the mass uprising in July 2024, prompting the interim government to investigate these cases. Applications have been submitted to the International Criminal Tribunal, and victims' families have filed complaints seeking accountability and justice.
Bangladesh, a signatory to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, has established the Enforced Disappearance Investigation Commission, which has submitted two interim reports. Investigations continue, revealing alarming details, as victims' families demand strict punishment for those involved in the disappearances.