Hasina directly ordered enforced disappearances, killings: HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has presented a damning report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, alleging that Sheikh Hasina, the ousted former prime minister of Bangladesh, directly ordered enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her rule. 

The report, delivered by HRW's Asia Director Elaine Pearson, calls for accountability and sweeping reforms in Bangladesh�s security forces.  

During the meeting, Pearson praised the Interim Government's reform initiatives and highlighted the July-August Monsoon Revolution as a turning point for human rights awareness in Bangladesh. She commended the government's commitment to improving the country's rights situation, emphasizing the importance of accountability to heal from the past regime's alleged atrocities.  

The HRW report urged the disbandment of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a security force accused of numerous extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. �Officers involved in enforced disappearances told us that Sheikh Hasina or senior government officials had direct knowledge of, or even ordered, these acts,� Pearson revealed.  

Chief Adviser Yunus acknowledged HRW's role in exposing human rights abuses during Sheikh Hasina's 2009-2024 tenure. He stressed the need for justice, stating, "While RAB has publicly apologized for its actions, individual officers responsible for these crimes must be held accountable through fair trials."  

Pearson also criticized the politicization of security forces under Hasina's administration, describing them as operating more like "party cadres" than professional law enforcement. She emphasized the need for systematic reforms and robust oversight mechanisms to prevent future abuses.  

Yunus reaffirmed his government's commitment to transparency and inclusivity, stating, �We are publishing all reform recommendations and allowing the people to have a voice in shaping the future of the nation. Undoing 15 years of oppression will not be easy, but it is necessary.�  

The HRW delegation also discussed the plight of Rohingya refugees, with Yunus advocating for a safe zone in Myanmar's Rakhine State. He expressed hope that the international community, the United Nations, and the Arakan Army would work together to ensure the safety and security of displaced Rohingyas.  

The HRW's recommendations and the Yunus-led Interim Government's openness to reform signal a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, as the country seeks to address past abuses and lay the groundwork for a more transparent and accountable future.