Commission on enforced disappearances submits second interim report to CA

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has submitted its second interim report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The handover took place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 4, at the state guest house, Jamuna. The commission, led by Chief Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, included members Noor Khan, Sajjad Hossain, and Nabila Idris.

Also present at the event were Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan, National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman, and Chief Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Siraj Uddin Mia.

Upon receiving the report, Professor Yunus emphasized the need to publish it both online and in book form, noting growing international interest in the issue.

“These are horrifying events,” he said. “They were committed not by strangers, but by our own people — respectable members of society, even our relatives. Based on your findings, there should be a museum of horrors. The public needs to understand the cruel reality — people held for months in cells no larger than three feet by three feet.”

The Chief Adviser instructed the commission to clearly identify actionable items from the report, specifying which ministry is responsible for each task, so that the government can initiate the necessary steps without delay.

One commission member revealed that many of those involved in the incidents have since expressed remorse. Some contacted the commission as part of a personal process of atonement. Two officials even submitted written confessions, which were later found at the Ganabhaban (Prime Minister’s official residence). The then-Army Chief publicly acknowledged the existence of these letters.

To date, the commission has received 1,850 complaints, of which 1,350 have been verified. Members expect the total number of complaints to exceed 3,500.

More than 300 victims remain missing. The commission has urged the Chief Advisor to enable families of missing persons to carry out basic financial transactions through bank accounts. The commission also recommended amending current laws — which consider a missing person deceased after seven years — to reduce the period to five years.

The Chief Adviser advised the commission to outline a course of action to ensure swift implementation.

Thanking the commission for its work, he said, “You are continuing this vital task in the face of fear, threats, and intimidation. You are an inspiration to the people of this country, and will remain a role model for future generations who work to defend human rights.”