Ex-PM Hasina Implicated In Enforced Disappearances: Inquiry Report

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances in Bangladesh has presented evidence linking former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and high-ranking security officials to several cases of enforced disappearances. The report, titled “Unfolding the Truth”, was submitted to Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on December 14.

Led by retired Justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury, the five-member commission uncovered systematic efforts to conceal these crimes, implicating Hasina’s defense adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and other officials.

Key Findings of the Report

1. Involvement of Security Officials:
   • High-ranking officials, including sacked Major General Ziaul Ahsan and senior police officers Monirul Islam and Md. Harun-Or-Rashid, were found complicit.
   • Former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre was also implicated.
2. Magnitude of the Issue:
   • The commission has received 1,676 complaints of enforced disappearances, of which 758 have been scrutinized.
   • The estimated number of disappearances could surpass 3,500.
3. Systematic Design:
   • Evidence indicates deliberate operations to ensure incidents remain undetected.
   • Victims were exchanged between forces, and operations were segmented to minimize knowledge among perpetrators.
4. Call for Action:
   • The commission recommended disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) due to its involvement in enforced disappearances.

Government’s Response and Next Steps

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus commended the commission’s efforts and assured full government support. He emphasized the importance of addressing these human rights violations, stating his intention to visit secret detention centers and “joint interrogation cells” identified by the commission.

The commission announced plans to deliver a follow-up interim report in March 2025, requiring an additional year to scrutinize all allegations.

Significance and Global Implications

The findings have brought renewed attention to Bangladesh’s human rights record. Calls for justice and accountability are likely to intensify as the commission continues its investigation into these alarming disappearances.