'Militant lists were provided to security forces to block releases'

Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has said that the government is fast-tracking political harassment cases as militants identified in intelligent agencies lists cannot be released without proper review and authorization.

He made the remarks at a roundtable titled “On the Path to Accountability: A Day to Remember the Victims of Disappearances” on Saturday (August 30) in Dhaka.

The event was jointly organized by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (CIED) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Asif Nazrul said more than 19,000 politically motivated cases have been withdrawn, but “terrorist and militant cases” are being carefully reviewed to avoid releasing genuine militants.

He added that withdrawal of cases will be handled confidentially to prevent misuse or allegations of releasing militants.

Regarding the Anti-Disappearance Act, he said it was drafted quickly for the occasion, noting that 90% of the recommendations from the Disappearances Commission were incorporated, while some UN suggestions were not feasible in the local context.

He emphasized the need for accountability mechanisms where the Human Rights Commission and the Disappearances Commission can question the government.

Other participants included Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, Enforced Disappearances Commission member Nabila Idris, and UN Resident Coordinator’s Senior Human Rights Adviser Huma Khan.