Govt does not believe in enforced disappearances: Minister

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan has said the current elected democratic government does not believe in enforced disappearances, murders, torture or oppression. The government wants to build a social system in which there will be no place for disappearances, torture or oppression.

He made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting the venue of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, in the capital on Saturday. State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain was also present at the venue and spoke. 

A rally will be held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at 10am today (Sunday) on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The victims of enforced disappearances will be remembered at the programme.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will attend the event as the chief guest. Ahmed Azam Khan said BNP had played a leading role in the movement against disappearances, murders and oppression over the last 18 years. He said the current government wants to build a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh.

The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman himself took part in the movement against disappearances and murders from abroad and was also subjected to torture. He said the Prime Minister's younger brother, Arafat Rahman Koko, died after suffering physical and mental trauma.

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was also subjected to torture for a long time, he said.
Ahmed Azam Khan said Khaleda Zia was so devastated by the long-term torture that she could have contributed to the country's development and welfare for many more years. But she never compromised on the issues of democracy and the country.