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Bangladesh Urged to Cooperate with UN on Forced Disappearances Inquiry
Demand for Justice and Accountability
On the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the authorities in Bangladesh to accept the United Nations’ offer to support an independent commission of inquiry into the country’s security forces’ enforced disappearances. Bangladesh officials have repeatedly denied these allegations, instead claiming that the missing individuals are simply in hiding.
According to Bangladeshi human rights monitors, there have been over 600 cases of enforced disappearances since 2009, with nearly 100 people still missing. The refusal of the Bangladesh government to accept the UN’s assistance in establishing a specialized mechanism to investigate these allegations is prolonging the suffering of families who are desperate for answers regarding their loved ones’ whereabouts.
A Cry for Answers: Families Demand Justice
The story of Adiba Islam Ridhe and her father Parvez Hossain serves as a poignant example of the devastation caused by enforced disappearances. Adiba, now 12 years old, has been waiting for her father’s return for 10 years. Hossain, an activist with the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was forcibly disappeared in 2013 when Adiba was just 2 years old. Witnesses reported seeing him in custody at a police office, but the authorities denied holding him. Like many others, Hossain’s fate remains unknown.
Families of the missing individuals have been subjected to harassment and intimidation by Bangladesh authorities. Despite lodging missing person complaints with the police, families are repeatedly interrogated about the whereabouts of their relatives. Officials go as far as threatening and pressuring families to revise their reports to remove any evidence that implicates security forces in the disappearances. Moreover, families claim that authorities have coerced them into signing false statements asserting that their family member was not forcibly disappeared and that they intentionally misled the police.
An Ongoing Pattern of Obstruction
The government of Bangladesh has consistently ignored calls from donor governments, the United Nations, human rights organizations, and civil society to meaningfully address enforced disappearances committed by its security forces. The country is a party to all core UN human rights treaties except for the treaty on enforced disappearances.
The incident in which ruling party supporters obstructed a meeting between victims’ families and the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh exemplifies the ongoing pattern of obstruction. Instead of condemning the perpetrators, government authorities defended them, further undermining efforts to seek justice for the victims.
Editorial: Addressing the Epidemic of Forced Disappearances in Bangladesh
A System Rooted in Denial
The refusal of the Bangladesh authorities to acknowledge the reality of enforced disappearances only deepens the pain and suffering of families desperately seeking answers. Denial not only perpetuates the injustice suffered by victims and their families but also undermines the credibility and integrity of the government.
To address the epidemic of enforced disappearances, the government must show genuine commitment to human rights and justice by cooperating with the United Nations and opening an independent commission of inquiry. This step is crucial for holding perpetrators accountable and providing closure to the affected families who have endured years of agonizing uncertainty.
The Role of International Pressure
While it is vital for Bangladesh authorities to take responsibility for addressing enforced disappearances, the international community has an important role to play in exerting pressure and facilitating accountability. Donor governments, the United Nations, and human rights organizations must continue to advocate for justice and press for the implementation of international standards.
Furthermore, the imposition of Global Magnitsky human rights sanctions against Bangladesh‘s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and top commanders implicated in abuses, including enforced disappearances, by the United States government is a step in the right direction. Such actions send a strong message that human rights violations will not be tolerated, and accountable individuals will face consequences for their actions.
Advice to Bangladesh Authorities
A New Beginning for Bangladesh
To regain credibility and restore faith in the government, Bangladesh authorities must take concrete steps to address enforced disappearances. This includes the acceptance of the United Nations’ offer to support an independent commission of inquiry, as well as the implementation of international standards for investigating allegations of enforced disappearances.
Transparency and accountability should be the guiding principles of the government’s response. The authorities must ensure that victims’ families are treated with compassion and respect, free from harassment and intimidation. Additionally, a comprehensive review of existing laws and policies related to human rights abuses is necessary to prevent further violations.
It is crucial for Bangladesh to move forward with a genuine commitment to human rights and justice. By doing so, the government can effectively address the epidemic of enforced disappearances, provide closure to affected families, and demonstrate its dedication to upholding human rights principles.
<< photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
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