Recommendations:
Independent, impartial, and transparent investigations into all cases of enforced disappearances.
Formulation of a national strategy and policy to locate missing persons.
Withdrawal of false cases filed against individuals who have returned.
Issuance of a ‘Certificate of Absence’ and ensuring compensation.
Enactment of laws to protect witnesses and victims.
Repeal or amendment of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009.
Dissolution of RAB.
Bringing those who destroy evidence of disappearances to justice.
Ensuring a swift and fair judicial process.
Implementation of UN OHCHR guidelines and enhancement of forensic capabilities.
The chief guest, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, stated, “The government stands with the families of those who have been disappeared and will continue to do so. It is working to provide legal and financial assistance to them. The interim government has no lack of goodwill in bringing perpetrators to justice.” She added, “Enforced disappearance is a heinous and horrific crime. Over the past 15 years, the Awami League has committed grave crimes, including disappearances and crossfire killings. Those responsible will face justice, and we must not lose hope.”
The event was moderated by Dr. Tasnim Siddiqui, President of Odhikar. Speakers included Nabila Idris, a member of the Disappearance Investigation Commission, SM Tasmirul Islam, Prosecutor at the ICT Tribunal, Syed Abdal Ahmed, Executive Editor of Amar Desh, and Foyzul Hakim, Editor of Janyug weekly, among others. The main paper was presented by Taskin Fahmina. Among those present were disappearance victims Rahmat Ullah, Freedom Fighter Iqbal Chowdhury, Advocate Suhel Rana, Amina Akter (wife of a disappeared person), Abdul Hai (uncle), and Shaon Hawladar (son), along with others.
The main paper highlighted that following the 2025 student-people’s uprising, the Disappearance Investigation Commission received a large number of complaints. The commission’s report described a ‘three-tier pyramid’ method used to execute enforced disappearances, implicating the then-Prime Minister, Defense Advisor, and Home Minister at the top level. Additionally, allegations suggest that many individuals went missing through a secret prisoner exchange program between Bangladeshi and Indian intelligence agencies.
The paper further noted that while new cases of enforced disappearances have not occurred recently, the judicial process remains extremely slow. Without the establishment of a democratic state system, such incidents may recur in the future. Odhikar believes that the prolonged lack of justice for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, coupled with impunity for perpetrators, is eroding public trust in the state.
Following the event, a human chain was formed in front of the Press Club by the attendees, victims of enforced disappearances, and their relatives.
