Dhaka: The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances today submitted its final report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, stating that enforced disappearances in Bangladesh were largely politically motivated and carried out with involvement from the highest levels of the immediate past government. The report titled ‘Unfolding the Truth: A Structural Diagnosis of Enforced Disappearance in Bangladesh’ was handed over at the State Guest House Jamuna in the afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the report was presented by Commission President Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, along with members Justice Md. Farid Ahmed Shibli, Md. Nur Khan, Dr. Nabila Idris, and Md Sazzad Hussain. The event was also attended by Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser Siraz Uddin Mia.
The Commission revealed that a total of 1,913 complaints were submitted, with 1,569 identified as enforced disappearances. Of these, 287 cases involved individuals categorized as ‘missing and dead.’ Commission member Nabila Idris indicated that the actual number of disappearances could be significantly higher, estimating between four to six thousand. She noted difficulties in contacting victims who might be unaware of the Commission or have relocated.
The report emphasized that the majority of enforced disappearances were politically motivated. It highlighted that 75 percent of victims who returned alive were linked to Jamaat-Shibir, while 22 percent were associated with BNP and its affiliates. Conversely, among those still missing, 68 percent were from BNP and 22 percent from Jamaat-Shibir.
The report implicated former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her security and defence adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in high-profile disappearances. Notable cases mentioned included BNP leaders Ilias Ali, Hummam Quader Chowdhury, and others.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus commended the Commission’s efforts, labeling the report as historic. He stressed the need for public access to the report in simple language and called for recommendations to prevent future atrocities. He also instructed that locations of extrajudicial killings and disappearances be documented, with the Baleshwar River in Barisal noted as a significant site of these activities.
The Commission expressed gratitude to the Chief Adviser for his unwavering support, which they said was crucial to their work. They urged the reconstitution of the National Human Rights Commission to continue the inquiry and ensure justice for victims.