Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh has begun investigations and judicial proceedings into every enforced disappearance case, while preparing a separate legal framework to prevent the crime in the future. In a message issued Saturday ahead of Sunday’s International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, he described enforced disappearance as among the world’s worst crimes and an extreme violation of human rights.

Rahman expressed sympathy for disappeared people and their families in Bangladesh and worldwide. He said such abuses occur particularly under authoritarian systems and in politically conflict-ridden regions, where security or law-enforcement agencies may target anti-government movements and dissenting political leaders. He alleged that Bangladesh’s former “fascist” government used abduction and disappearance to suppress democratic and political rights, with secret detention sites known publicly as Aynaghar.

Citing domestic and international human rights groups, he said at least 700 people were disappeared at different times. He said the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Bill, 2026, and the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026, have been introduced in parliament. Rahman called for global unity and accountability under this year’s theme, “Victims First, Actions Now.”