শনিবার, ২৯ অগাস্ট ২০২৬, ০৭:১৭ অপরাহ্ন
DHAKA, Aug 29, 2026 (BSS) – The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances will be observed in Bangladesh Sunday as elsewhere in the world drawing attention to the plight of those who have gone missing under mysterious or unlawful circumstances.
To mark the day, various human rights organizations, political and social organizations will hold different programs aimed at raising awareness and demanding justice.
Enforced disappearance is a global issue, especially in autocratic regimes and politically unstable regions.
The United Nations (UN) has designated August 30 as the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances since 2011, to ensure that necessary measures are taken globally to trace disappeared individuals and to show solidarity with their families.
The day also marks the adoption of an international convention on December 20, 2006, at the UN General Assembly to prevent enforced disappearances and end the impunity surrounding the crime.
In 2010, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance was enacted, and August 30 was officially declared as the International Day.
Families of the disappeared and various governmental and non-governmental organizations observe the day.
The main objective of this day is to highlight the inhuman crime of enforced disappearance on the global stage and to exert pressure on states to be held accountable.
Enforced disappearance is a relatively new issue in Bangladesh, but it has sparked intense discussions.
The brutality of enforced disappearances, where individuals were detained in secret facilities during the fascist Awami League’s regime, is chillingly depicted in reports published by the Enforced Disappearance Commission and various international organizations.
Particularly, during the Awami League’s regime, incidents of the abduction of opposition political leaders, human rights activists, and even journalists have come to light.
Family members have mostly alleged that people were abducted by law enforcement agencies, but later their whereabouts remained unknown.
The discussions took on a new dimension after the mass uprising in July 2024.
During the period of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and formed the Enforced Disappearance Investigation Commission.
On January4, 2026, the commission submitted its final report. During the Awami League’s tenure, many political leaders, activists, rights activists, and others were victims of enforced disappearances in the name of suppressing dissent.
Investigations are ongoing, and alarming new details are emerging. Family members of the victims demanded strict punishment for those involved in the disappearances.
On August 28, 2025, the Council of Advisers of the then interim government gave approval in principle to the draft “Enforced Disappearance Prevention, Remedies and Protection Ordinance 2025” in its 40th meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office.
On August 3, 2026, the cabinet led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman gave in-principle and final approval to the draft of the Prevention and Remedies for Enforced Disappearance Act, 2026, recognising enforced disappearance as a distinct criminal offence with provisions for life imprisonment and fines.
Earlier, on April 30, 2026, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman informed the parliament that a total of 1,855 cases have been filed across the country over killings, enforced disappearances and torture committed during the previous fascist regime.
Among the cases, 799 are murder cases while 1,056 were filed under other charges, he said.
So far, investigation has been completed in 158 cases (48 murder cases and 110 others) and charge sheets have been submitted to the courts. Trial proceedings in these cases are currently underway, he said.
Asaduzzaman added that investigations into the remaining 1,697 cases are ongoing.
