HRSS demands end to enforced disappearances

The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has called on the government to fully implement the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, presenting seven demands aimed at ending enforced disappearances in Bangladesh.

HRSS Secretary General Muniruzzaman announced the demands at a discussion held on Friday at the National Press Club, ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance.

The key demands include prompt notification to families about the whereabouts of their missing relatives, thorough investigations into each case, and exemplary punishment for perpetrators. HRSS also urged authorities to preserve evidence, protect victims and witnesses, and strengthen the independent commission investigating disappearances by making it permanent and more effective.

Other demands focus on providing legal, financial, and psychological support to victims and families, allowing access to victims’ bank accounts and assets, enhancing parliamentary oversight of law enforcement agencies, and regular human rights training for law enforcement personnel and political party members.

The HRSS also emphasized the need for textbooks and media to raise awareness on human rights, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances.

Since August last year, an independent commission led by retired High Court Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury has been investigating 1,752 cases of enforced disappearances, with 330 people still missing.

Human rights organizations report hundreds of cases over the past decade. Odhikar cites 708 disappearances from 2009 to June 2024, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) 629 cases between 2007 and 2023, HRSS 392 cases from 2015 to 2024, and Human Rights Watch nearly 600 cases from 2009 to 2021.

Speaking at the event, Commission member Nur Khan Liton stressed the importance of eradicating enforced disappearances and the mindset that allows such abuses to continue.

Human rights activist Barrister Sara Hossain urged political leaders to make clear commitments to end disappearances, extrajudicial killings, false cases, and detention without trial. She warned that justice must be fair to avoid further injustice.

Huma Khan, Chief of Mission at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, called for urgent measures to ease families’ suffering, resolve fabricated criminal cases, and conduct broad consultations on the draft law on enforced disappearance. She warned against rushing legislation and relying on harsh punishments without an impartial justice system.

Representatives from political parties and human rights groups also attended the discussion.