Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina Involved In Forced Disappearances, Finds Bangladesh Commission
Dhaka: The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance set up by Bangladesh’s interim government found that the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was alleged to be involved in enforced disappearances of individuals during her tenure. The report found there were nearly 3,500 cases of forced disappearances during the Hasina era.
In its report filed on Saturday, the inquiry commission stated that there was evidence of Hasina being the “instructor” in the incidents of forced disappearances.
Also Read | Sheikh Hasina Accuses Muhammed Yunus Of “Genocide” In Bangladesh
Set up by Muhammad Yunus’ interim government, the report titled “Unfolding the Truth” presented preliminary evidence against the ex-PM. Hasina fled the country on August 5 following a massive protest led by students in the country.
As per the report, there was a “systematic design” that allowed incidents of enforced disappearances to go undetected.
The report also named other high-ranking officials, including Hasina’s defence advisor, Major General (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre and sacked Major General Ziaul Ahsan, and senior police officers Monirul Islam and Mohammad Harun-Or-Rashid, and several other senior officials involved in the cases. The former military and police officers have been on the run since the Awami League was ousted.
The commission recommended disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion, an anti-crime outfit that drew men from the army, navy, air force, and police, which had collaborated with other law enforcement agencies to torture and detain victims. The commission also proposed amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009.
Reportedly, the commission has recorded 1,676 complaints of forced disappearances; 758 cases have been examined so far. Out of these, 200 people (nearly 27 percent) of victims never returned. Those who did return were arrested, as per records.
Also Read | Amid Straining Relations, Bangladesh To Ban Indian TV Channels?
The commission comprises retired Supreme Court Judge Mainul Islam Chowdhury as chairman, Justice Farid Ahmed Shibli, rights activist Nur Khan, private BRAC University teacher Nabila Idris, and rights activist Sajjad Hossain.
The commission had earlier found eight secret detention centres in Dhaka and nearby areas. Many of the victims include former military officers and activists opposing former PM Hasina’s government.
