The Commission on Enforced Disappearances has confirmed conclusive evidence in 253 out of 1,850 complaints it has received across Bangladesh. The remaining cases are still under investigation, according to the commission’s chairperson, Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury. Speaking at a press conference held in Gulshan on Thursday morning (June 19), Justice Chowdhury stated that more than 250 of these disappearances occurred under the pretext of anti-militancy operations.
He alleged that enforced disappearances were systematically used as a tool to suppress opposition political forces and dissenting voices. He also revealed that some victims were reportedly sent to India and later shown as arrested by Indian law enforcement agencies. Victims included meritorious students, political activists, journalists, doctors, engineers, and professionals from various sectors.
“Many Indian nationals were involved in the enforced disappearances of Bangladeshis,” said Justice Chowdhury. “Those within the current government who were involved in these crimes will be brought to justice under the framework of peace and accountability.” Other commission members present at the briefing clarified that the military as an institution has not been found responsible for these actions. However, individuals who were previously part of other law enforcement units have been implicated.
They further stated that a list of 131 people still missing has been submitted to the Police Headquarters for further action.
Earlier, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that the government has decided to form a permanent commission and enact a law within a month to prevent incidents of enforced disappearance in the future.
He disclosed the matter to journalists after a meeting with a delegation from the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances at the Secretariat on Monday.
“One of the interim government’s commitments was to investigate and prosecute cases of enforced disappearances. We met the UN working group today. They praised some of our activities. They also hailed the initiative to enact the law.”