Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for global unity and solidarity to hold trials for those involved in enforced disappearances. The call was made in a message marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, which is observed tomorrow. Terming enforced disappearances as one of the most heinous and gruesome acts, the prime minister highlighted that it is a global problem and an extreme violation of human rights.
The prime minister noted that such crimes are particularly prevalent in countries ruled by autocratic regimes. He pointed out that state security forces and law enforcement agencies often use brutal and ruthless methods against dissidents to clamp down on anti-government movements.
Rahman mentioned the previous fascist government of Bangladesh, which resorted to enforced disappearances and abductions, detaining many people for months or even years in detention centers known as ‘Ainaghar’. According to local and international human rights organizations, over 700 people were disappeared by law enforcement agencies during the deposed regime.
To address this issue, the current government has initiated trials after investigating each incident. Additionally, a legal framework is being prepared to prevent such crimes in the future. The Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Bill, 2026, and the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026, have been placed in parliament, with the government hoping that these acts will deter future enforced disappearances.
Under Article 7(2)(i) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, enforced disappearance is defined as a specific crime against humanity, emphasizing the importance of exemplary punishment for those committing such acts. The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances aims to stimulate global conscience against enforced disappearances with the theme ‘Victims First, Actions Now’.
The significance of this call is particularly resonant in Bangladesh, where the scars of past enforced disappearances under autocratic rule remain fresh. The ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and prevent future occurrences are crucial for the country’s path to justice and human rights restoration.
