Detaining anyone in a secret location for more than 24 hours, or depriving them of legal protection and benefits, will be treated as “enforced disappearance,” said International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam.
He made the remarks on Monday while responding to questions from journalists at his office.
Aminul noted that the act concerning the prevention and redress of enforced disappearances has been passed by the National Parliament. He added that the law contains a specific condition for treating such cases of enforced disappearance as crimes against humanity.
If enforced disappearances are carried out on a widespread scale or follow a specific pattern or method, they will be considered crimes against humanity and tried at the International Crimes Tribunal.
Welcoming the new law, the chief prosecutor said it opens up a new path to justice for the families of the victims of enforced disappearances and broadens the scope of trials.
He added that there is no scope for conflict between the new law and the International Crimes Tribunal Act. Likewise, the definition of enforced disappearance has been framed in a manner that will not create any conflicting situations with other existing laws of the country.
The law has been enacted with utmost clarity, the chief prosecutor said, adding that its implementation provides an opportunity for the victimised families to secure justice.
