The National Committee for Observing the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances has called on people of all political affiliations to join a march toward the National Parliament on Sunday afternoon. The programme includes submitting a memorandum to the Speaker and will begin at 3pm from Banglamotor in the capital, according to a joint statement issued on Saturday.

Professor Dilara Chowdhury, convener of the committee, and its joint convener Brigadier General (retd) Hasinur Rahman Bir Protik made the appeal. They alleged that Bangladesh had experienced widespread enforced disappearances over the past 17 years, describing abductions from homes, detention in “Aynaghar,” torture, killings and disposal of bodies as grave human rights violations.

The leaders said a strict law to prevent enforced disappearances must be enacted to block the path of fascism and help build a “new Bangladesh” after the fall of the Awami League on August 5, 2024. They urged patriotic and conscious citizens to participate in the march and support assurances of the law’s enactment and enforcement.