National Citizen Party convener and opposition chief whip Md Nahid Islam has called for all people subjected to enforced disappearance during the Awami League period to be found, for their families to be told the truth, and for every case to be swiftly tried. In a Saturday statement marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, he also urged explicit provisions for independent, impartial and effective investigations of disappearance allegations in a prevention law.

Nahid expressed sympathy for victims of enforced disappearance and their relatives in Bangladesh and elsewhere. He alleged that disappearances were used as a tool of state repression during Sheikh Hasina’s one-and-a-half-decade rule, leaving many opposition figures and citizens missing. He referred to alleged inhumane torture in dark facilities known as “Aynaghar” and said many families remain unable to locate their relatives.

He said the allegation concerning Miraj Sheikh’s disappearance in Mongla prison was deeply concerning. Nahid also raised serious questions about the enforced disappearance prevention and remedy bill and the human rights commission bill presented in parliament, warning of possible impunity. He stressed that Bangladesh must ensure state-sponsored disappearance never returns.