1,600 complaints over enforced disappearances filed, majority against RAB

Bangladesh desk: Some 1,600 complaints have been submitted to the Commission Investigating Enforced Disappearances as of October 31.

Of these, 400 complaints have been examined, and the remaining ones are being scrutinised gradually. Statements have been taken from 140, out of the 400 complainants.

Of the 400 complaints, 172 were made against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), 37 against the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, 55 complaints
against the Detective Branch (DB), 26 against the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence Agency (DGFI), 25 against different police units and 68 complaints of enforced disappearance in other ways.

“While investigating the complaints, the Commission has found the existence of as many as eight secret prisons or clandestine detention centers where the victims of enforced disappearance had been tortured year after year,” said Commission chairman and former Justice Moinul Alam Chowdhury while addressing a press conference at the conference room of the commission’s office at Gulshan in the capital on Tuesday.

The chairman said seven members from different law enforcement agencies involved in disappearances have been summoned for questioning. Other accused individuals will also be called in phases.

The commission alleged that the secret detention centres where the victims of enforced disappearance were tortured have been demolished and evidence have been destroyed. However, the commission has cautioned those who are destroying the evidence. Those who are destroying the evidence, they will be considered as accomplices of those who were directly involved in forced disappearances. The commission has requested not to destroy the evidence.

On August 27 last, the interim government formed the Commission Investigating Enforced Disappearances, with the opportunity to report cases of enforced disappearances occurring from January 6, 2009, to August 5, 2024.

The deadline for submitting complaints to the commission regarding enforced disappearances ended on October 31. However, anyone can still submit complaints if they wish.

Led by retired justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, other members of the Commission Investigating Enforced Disappearances are High Couret Division’s additional retired justice Md Farid Ahmed Shibly, human rights activist Noor Khan, BRAC University teacher Nabila Idris and human rights activist Sazzad Hossain.

Commission member Noor Khan Liton said that it is unimaginable how brutally people were tortured.

Commission member Dr Nabila Idris said that four reasons for enforced disappearances have been identified so far. A large number of people have been taken for political reasons. Although unproven, a significant number have been taken under suspicion of terrorism. Additionally, individuals have disappeared for business and family reasons as well.