Play store
The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday submitted a memorandum to Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, calling for stronger measures to prevent enforced disappearances and ensure accountability for those responsible.
The alliance handed over the memorandum to the Speaker at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the evening after marching towards Parliament to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
Addressing a rally following the procession, Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar said the day was being observed to remember those who were subjected to enforced disappearance during the July uprising and the anti-fascist movement.
Criticising moves to repeal the ordinance issued to prevent enforced disappearances and restore investigative responsibility to the police, he said it would be unacceptable to entrust investigations to those accused of involvement in disappearances. He demanded that the ordinance be retained.
Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin said the 2024 mass uprising had sent a clear message against enforced disappearances and killings.
Although the July Charter contains a definitive framework for preventing enforced disappearances, he alleged that the current government was trying to form only a token committee to address the issue.
After submitting the memorandum, Brig Gen (retd) Hasinur Rahman, joint convener of the International Committee for Prevention of Enforced Disappearances, said they had placed a number of demands before the Speaker, who assured them that he would make every possible effort to address the issues.
Criticising the existing legal framework, he said that under the current system, even the wife of a home minister would be unable to prove that her husband had been subjected to enforced disappearance.
He said people’s patience was running out and urged everyone to join the long march scheduled for September 5.
Leaders and activists of various political parties, MPs and people from different walks of life expressed solidarity with the procession and rally.
Among those present were Rokeya Begum, mother of martyr Jaber Ibrahim and an MP; NCP Joint Convener Dr Atik Mujahid, also an MP; and Jamaat Executive Council member Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, an MP.
At a programme held before the procession, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, former MP Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman, former diplomat Sakib Ali and Dhaka Union of Journalists President Shahidul Islam, among other invited guests, addressed the gathering.
Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran, LDP Acting Secretary General Billal Hossain Miaji and leaders from different levels of the 11-party alliance were also present.
