A damning picture of systemic political repression emerged from the findings of the Disappearance Commission's investigation. The Commission revealed pros and cons of its outcomes at a press conference held in the Commission's office in Gulshan on Thursday.
The Chairman of the Commission Justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury (retd) outlined in detail the modes of enforced disappearances that allegedly took place during the previous regime led by the Awami League government from January 6, 2009 to August 5, 2024.
"There are four possible outcomes for victims of enforced disappearances," said Justice Mainul. "Either he was killed, or he was presented before the media before trial usually with the label of a militant and shown as being under trial in Bangladesh or arrested in a new criminal case. Again, some were sent across the border to India and arrested by Indian law enforcement agencies. However, if someone is lucky in a small number of cases they are released without filing a case."
The commission was constituted on August 27 under the interim government following a wave of mass protests that brought down the Awami League regime, which so far received 1,850 complaints. After scrutinising 1,350 of them, it submitted its second interim report to the Chief Adviser on June 4.
In his written statement, Justice Mainul emphasised that enforced disappearances had been used "as a tool as part of a systematic policy of repression against opposition political forces and dissenters."
The partially published report claims that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was involved as the 'instructor of the disappearances'.
Justice Mainul noted with concern that despite the regime change, "many criminals and their well-wishers remain in the center of state power," which has led to "a frightening and intimidating environment including the destruction of many strong evidence and signs, institutional non-cooperation in many cases and intimidation of witnesses."
"We are not disclosing the names of those we have identified. Mainly for the safety and security of the victims," former Justice replied a question. "And keeping in mind that the suspected accused does not escape, it is not possible for us to disclose the entire matter while it is ongoing."
He added that threats to victims persist. "The perpetrators involved in the enforced disappearances are still threatening the victims. We also have audio recordings of a victim being threatened."
According to the Commission, the majority of the enforced disappearances were executed by state security apparatus including the police, RAB, DB and the Counter Terrorism unit. Victims, their families and witnesses consistently identified these agencies as the 'main culprits'.
The findings further allege involvement of officers from the DGFI, NSI and BGB. Notably, the DGFI is accused of operating covert detention facilities or 'black sites', with the 'Ainaghar' cited as the most infamous. There, detainees were allegedly held incommunicado and subjected to severe torture.
Justice Mainul clarified, "As an institution, the army were not officially involved."
However, Nur Khan, a Commission member, offered a pointed rejoinder saying, "But the army did not know, it can't be said. Because one of their former army chiefs has publicly stated that two army personnel sought refuge with him that they do not want to be involved in such activities. After a former army chief gives this statement, there is no point in saying that army did not know."
Addressing the steps taken to trace the disappeared, Justice Mainul distinguished between 'inquiry' and 'investigation', noting that "we are investigating. The International Crimes Tribunal is responsible for the inquiry."
Commission member Sajjad Hossain detailed their ongoing efforts stating "The Commission is doing four things in the search process. Number one, we have sent 131 cases to the police. We have asked them to investigate and find those people. Second, we ourselves are going to inspect secret detention centers based on information in different places. Third, we have asked the Home Ministry for a list of how many Bangladeshis are in Indian prisons and have received it partially. We are comparing those names with our list. Fourth, we are comparing whether there are any missing Bangladeshis who are being pushed in through various borders."
He further confirmed that "no missing person has been identified from the list yet."
