No crossfire or enforced disappearance in govt's 42 days: Law Minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman has said no incidents of crossfire or enforced disappearance have occurred in the 42 days since the current government assumed office.

He made the remarks in parliament on Thursday (April 9) while responding to objections raised by MP Hasnat Abdullah during the tabling of the National Human Rights Commission (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026.

“While the government could have pursued retaliatory politics, we chose not to,” the minister said, adding that no family should lose a loved one in the name of crossfire or enforced disappearance.

He also acknowledged past allegations of human rights abuses, noting that many political activists and their families had faced Long-standing oppression.

Explaining the rationale behind reinstating the 2009 Human Rights Commission law, the minister said the 2025 ordinance required further review and broader consultation with stakeholders to avoid gaps in operations.

He pointed out shortcomings in the ordinance, including the lack of clear provisions on investigation procedures, timelines, penalties, and compensation, which could complicate access to justice for victims.

He also raised concerns over provisions allowing the commission to file cases on behalf of a party after investigations, questioning its neutrality.

Terming enforced disappearance one of the gravest crimes in Bangladesh’s history, the minister said a stringent legal framework is already in place, but ambiguities in the ordinance—particularly regarding the definition and mandate of a “disappearance commission”—could undermine its effectiveness.

He emphasised that a stronger and more impartial human rights law would be formulated through inclusive consultations with political parties, professionals, and grassroots communities.