Speakers at an AB Party seminar in the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall of the National Press Club on Saturday warned that replacing the disappearance ordinance with a new law could create opportunities for immunity rather than ensure justice for enforced disappearances. They said ending the culture of disappearances requires a strong law, an independent investigation system and prosecution of every responsible person, including those who gave orders.

BNP media cell convener Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel said a weak police system could not effectively investigate or prosecute an offence as serious as disappearance. FSDS chairman Fazle Elahi Akbar welcomed the government’s committee on the issue but said committees alone would not solve the problem, citing past failures of committees formed on various issues.

BNP lawmaker Hummam Qader Chowdhury said rumours had circulated about the proposed anti-disappearance law, while extensive research had been conducted before drafting it. He said the force accused of a disappearance would not investigate the allegation and that bringing those who ordered disappearances to justice had been considered. Barrister Zubayer Ahmed Bhuiyan said disappearances also leave families in prolonged fear, uncertainty and mental suffering.