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Bangladesh is observing the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances today (Sunday) as elsewhere in the world, drawing attention to the sufferings of those who have gone missing under mysterious or unlawful circumstances.
Marking the day, various human rights groups, political and social organisations are holding different programmes aimed at raising awareness and demanding justice for the victims.
Enforced disappearance is a global issue, especially in autocratic regimes and politically unstable regions.
The UN General Assembly adopted the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance on December 20, 2006, to prevent enforced disappearances and end impunity surrounding the crime.
The Convention entered into force in 2010. In the same year, the UN General Assembly designated August 30 as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances to raise awareness of enforced disappearances and support efforts to prevent them and establish accountability.
The first observance of the International Day was held in 2011.
Families of the disappeared and various governmental and non-governmental organisations 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 yet widely discussed issue in Bangladesh.
The brutality of enforced disappearances, including the detention of individuals in secret centres during the fascist Awami League regime, is chillingly depicted in reports published by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and various international organisations.
These reports have revealed that political leaders, activists, human rights defenders, and others became victims of enforced disappearance as part of efforts to suppress dissent during the Awami League’s tenure.
Family members have often alleged that people were abducted by law enforcement agencies and that their whereabouts subsequently remained unknown.
The discussions took on a new dimension after the July-August Mass Uprising.
During the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and formed the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. The final report of the commission was published on January 13 this year.
Investigations are still ongoing, and alarming new details are emerging. Family members of the victims have 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 had been filed across the country over killings, enforced disappearances and torture committed during the previous fascist regime.
Among the cases, 799 were murder cases while 1,056 were filed under other charges, he said.
So far, probes have 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 underway.