New Law on Disappearances Raises Concerns in Bangladesh
The fate of Miraj Sheikh from Mongla, Bagerhat, remains unknown. His family claims Coast Guard personnel took him on April 10. The Coast Guard denies this. Miraj’s father even went to the High Court for help. But four and a half months later, Miraj is still missing.
Bangladesh joined an international agreement against enforced disappearances two years ago. Today, August 30, is the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Yet, concerns about disappearances continue to grow in the country.
A special commission investigated disappearances from 2009 to 2024. It identified 1,569 cases. About 1,282 people later returned. But 251 people are still missing. The bodies of 36 others were found. The commission believes the true number of cases could be much higher.
This commission found evidence against several groups. These include the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police, and Detective Branch (DB). Other intelligence agencies were also involved.
Earlier, an ordinance in 2025 gave the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) control over these investigations. The NHRC could also visit suspected secret detention places. This law expired in April.
Now, a new bill is in parliament. It changes the way enforced disappearances will be handled. The bill says that if a government force is accused of a disappearance, that same force cannot investigate. Instead, the government will ask another force or a team to investigate.
However, many people worry about how independent these investigations will be. The government will choose who investigates. Critics say this new system still keeps investigations within state forces. This might not be truly independent.
The new bill also removes key powers from the NHRC. It cannot inspect detention centres anymore. The UN has said that an independent group should inspect all detention places. Also, cases will now go to regular courts. Some worry these courts may not be ready for complex disappearance cases.
The bill also makes giving false information a serious crime. It can lead to five years in prison. Many fear this could stop victims’ families from reporting cases. Families are already vulnerable.
Control of the central database on disappearances will also change. It will now be under government supervision. The previous ordinance placed it with the NHRC. Experts say who controls this data is very important for fair investigations.
Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury led the Inquiry Commission. He believes an independent body should handle these investigations. This body should not be controlled by the police or any other force. Only then, he says, can there be a fair and unbiased investigation for victims’ families.
