Marking the first anniversary of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, Fortify Rights has called for immediate steps from the Bangladeshi government to hold perpetrators accountable and provide reparations to the families of victims.
The human rights group urged the government to prioritize prosecutions and ensure that the Commission’s findings lead to concrete justice for those affected by these long-standing abuses.
The Commission, formed on August 27, 2024, has received over 1,800 cases of enforced disappearances. Despite this, Fortify Rights stresses the need for further action, urging the government to follow through with impartial investigations and offer reparations to survivors and victims’ families, something they argue is vital to achieving true accountability.
A Legacy of Disappearances Under Hasina’s Regime
Fortify Rights emphasized that enforced disappearances have been systematically used by the state as a political tool under Sheikh Hasina’s government. Evidence collected suggests that state security forces and intelligence agencies have played a key role in orchestrating these disappearances. Numerous reports indicate that victims have been targeted for their political views, with many held in secret detention for prolonged periods.
One of the most prominent cases is that of Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, a lawyer who was abducted in 2016 and held in secret detention for nearly nine years. Known as Arman, he was finally freed on August 6, 2025, after Sheikh Hasina’s abrupt departure amidst growing unrest. Arman described his experience as deeply traumatic and condemned the lack of transparency in the government’s handling of such abuses.
Demands for Immediate Action
Fortify Rights has called for swift criminal prosecution of those responsible for these crimes and for the government to provide reparations to the survivors and the families of those still missing. While the Commission has made progress, the rights group insists that justice cannot be delayed any longer. They urge the Bangladeshi authorities to take urgent steps toward a fair and comprehensive investigation.
As the anniversary of the Commission’s formation approaches, Fortify Rights emphasizes that the Bangladeshi government has a crucial opportunity to show its commitment to human rights, justice, and accountability.