'Father is dead or alive—the endless wait for a missing child'

The word ‘disappearance’ has become a terrifying reality in Bangladesh’s recent political history. During the 15-and-a-half-year rule of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the sudden disappearance of political opponents, dissidents, and even critics became almost routine. Some bodies have been found, while there is still no information about others.

Account of disappearances and disappearances

The latest report of the Commission of Inquiry into Disappearances states that at least 300 people are still missing. The chances of their return alive are very slim. More than 1,700 complaints have already been received by the commission. Many of these complaints have not yet been resolved.

Commission President Retired Justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury said,

“Most of the missing persons have not been found for 10 to 14 years. According to the law, if a person has been missing for 7 years, it can be assumed that they are no longer alive. Even then, we are trying our best to find them.”

The endless wait of families

Every missing family seems to be trapped in the agony of an endless wait. While some still have a glimmer of hope, most families believe their loved ones may no longer be alive.

On November 27, 2013, former Laksham MP Md. Saiful Islam Hiru and Municipal BNP President Md. Humayun Kabir Parvez were abducted. They have not been seen since.

Humayun Kabir's son Shahriar Ratul told Prothom Alo,

"I still can't accept that my father is gone. But if I had known that he was no longer alive, I would have at least gone to his grave and prayed."

On April 17, 2012, BNP Organizing Secretary Ilias Ali and his driver Ansar Ali went missing from Banani, Dhaka. They have not been found for 12 years. Ilias Ali's wife Tahsina Rushdi Luna said,

"The investigation commission said that a special force was involved in this. But no truth has been known yet. We just want justice."

Types of Disappearances During the Awami League Period

The commission's investigation found that during the Awami League government, four types of consequences were met for those who disappeared during the Awami League government—

1. Being kidnapped, killed and their bodies being hidden.

2. Arrested in false cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

3. Sent across the border to India and handed over to the forces there.

4. Arrested in a small number of cases and filed cases.

The then government has always denied allegations of such incidents. On the contrary, the families have been humiliated by accusing the victims of being in hiding or fleeing fearing creditors.

Four-pronged initiatives of the commission

Currently, the Commission of Inquiry into Disappearances is trying from four directions to find the missing persons—

Searching for the missing persons through the police.

Searches in various places based on specific information.

Matching with the list of Bangladeshi prisoners in Indian jails.

Verification of those who were 'pushed in' across the border.

However, despite all these initiatives, no major progress has been made yet.

New Cases and Investigations

IGP Baharul Alam said that cases that were not filed during the Awami League era are now being recorded as kidnapping cases. The commission has already sent 160 cases to the police.

International Day for the Prevention of Disappearances

Today, August 30, is the International Day for the Prevention of Disappearances. Last year, on August 29, Bangladesh officially signed the International Convention against Disappearances. Two days before that, the current interim government formed a commission to investigate the disappearances.

A story of a sigh

Disappearances in Bangladesh are now not just a human rights violation, but also the name of the painful memories and endless waiting of thousands of families. The biggest wish of families who are still waiting for their loved ones is— “Even if their loved ones are not alive, at least I can go to the grave and pray.”