Vanishing Lives: Confronting Enforced Disappearances and Demanding Justice in Bangladesh

30-08-2023

Alexandra Posta

East and South Asia Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

In the heart of Bangladesh's struggle for justice and human rights, a chilling shadow looms over families torn apart by the relentless plague of enforced disappearances. This issue, as highlighted by sources from Human Rights Watch (HRW, 29 August 2023), heart-wrenching stories of affected families (Mahmud, 30 August 2023), and poignant reports from rights organizations (FIDH, 30 August 2023), thrusts into the limelight a grave violation of human rights. As we commemorate the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, it's imperative that we turn our attention to the stories hidden behind statistics and confront the pressing need for accountability and justice.

Tragically, as reported by sources such as Human Rights Watch (HRW, 29 August 2023), Odhikar, and The Asian Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh has witnessed over 600 cases of enforced disappearances since 2009. Amidst these harrowing figures, almost 100 individuals remain missing, their families trapped in an agonizing limbo. The government's denial of the existence of these enforced disappearances, instead attributing them to individuals "in hiding," perpetuates a cycle of suffering for those desperate to know the fate of their loved ones (HRW, 29 August 2023).

The heart of this human rights crisis lies in the blatant disregard for fundamental freedoms and international norms. Bangladesh, bound by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its own Constitution, is obligated to uphold the rights of its citizens. However, the government's persistent refusal to acknowledge this crisis, its harassment of victims' families, and its attempts to stifle dissent blatantly violate provisions protecting against enforced disappearances. The absence of a genuine commitment to address these abuses undermines the foundations of justice and accountability.

As we commemorate the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the urgency of action cannot be overstated. The courageous voices of those like Adiba Islam Hridi, who yearns to embrace her father after a decade of waiting, beckon us to stand in solidarity against this travesty. Human Rights Watch (HRW, 29 August 2023), Maayer Daak, and a coalition of international organizations (FIDH, 30 August 2023) resoundingly call upon the Bangladeshi government to accept the United Nations' offer to establish an independent commission of inquiry. The cycle of pain and impunity must be broken. As concerned global citizens, we must demand accountability, justice, and the cessation of enforced disappearances – not only for the victims but for the very essence of human rights that defines our shared humanity.

SOURCES

HRW. (29 August 2023). Bangladesh: Open Forced Disappearances Inquiry. Available at < https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/08/29/bangladesh-open-forced-disappearances-inquiry>.

Faisal Mahmud. (30 August 2023). ‘Wait never ends’ for families of the forcibly disappeared in Bangladesh. AlJazeera. Available at < https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/30/wait-never-ends-for-families-of-the-forcibly-disappeared-in-bangladesh>.

FIDH. (30 August 2023). Bangladesh: Government must cease enforced disappearances, stop harassment of the victims’ families and hold perpetrators accountable. Available at < https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/bangladesh/bangladesh-government-must-cease-enforced-disappearances-stop>.