On the eve of the International Day of the Disappeared this year, the chief advisor to the interim government, Dr. Yunus, has signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The relatives of those who have disappeared in Bangladesh have been searching for their loved ones for a long time without any redress. Even the intervention of the UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances has been ineffective. In this situation, Bangladesh’s accession to the international convention and the formation of a commission to investigate the disappearances may, to some extent, reassure the victims.
Various human rights organizations have long been demanding that Bangladesh join the international convention, but no previous government has signed it. The interim government has accomplished this commendable task. For this, I express my gratitude.
The government formed a five-member commission under the leadership of retired Justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury to investigate the disappearances during the Awami League government. The commission has been asked to investigate and submit a report to the government within 45 working days.
According to the notification, this commission comprises Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Branch, Intelligence Branch, Ansar Battalion, National Intelligence Agency (NSI), Defense Forces, Defense Intelligence. Directorate General of Investigation (DGFI) will trace missing persons by any member of the country’s law enforcement and enforcement agencies, including the Coast Guard.
During the Awami League regime, there was widespread discussion and criticism about the disappearances inside and outside the country. However, government policymakers have consistently denied the disappearances at the hands of law enforcement agencies. They also questioned the rationale of the list given by the United Nations. A newspaper called ‘Aynaghar’ did an investigative report on the disappearances that took place during the Awami League period.
Former army officer Brigadier General (dismissed) Abdullahil Aman Azmi and Supreme Court lawyer Ahmad bin Qasem (Arman) were released from secret detention almost eight years after the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s government in a student uprising. Also, Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) leader Michael Chakma was released from secret detention after five years.
Meanwhile, Mother Dak, an organization of relatives of missing persons, on August 18 submitted a list of 158 persons who went missing at various times to the Director General of Defense Intelligence (DGFI). Earlier in 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Disappearances had given the Bangladesh government a list of 76 victims of disappearances at various times in Bangladesh.
In the address given to the nation last Monday, the chief advisor of the interim government. Muhammad Yunus said that justice will be ensured for extrajudicial killings, disappearances, murders, abductions and ‘mirror’ crimes during the previous Awami League government.
We hope that the inquiry commission will be able to reveal the truth within the stipulated time. If the victims get their loved ones back, that will be a great achievement. In a democratic country, it is unacceptable for a citizen to disappear at the hands of state forces for expressing dissent or opposing the government. Government and state are not the same. Even if someone opposes the state, he will be judged according to law. Why would he be missing?
Bangladesh’s signing of the International Convention against Disappearance is a step forward in protecting human rights. In order to maintain this, besides investigating the cases of past disappearances, the state must ensure that no one goes missing in the future.
