In a significant development, the Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances presented its provisional findings, implicating former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several senior officials in incidents of enforced disappearances. The report, titled “Revealing the truth”, also recommended the disbandment of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), citing its controversial role in such cases.

The interim report was submitted to the Principal Adviser to the Caretaker Government, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, by the committee’s chairman, retired Justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury, at a ceremony organized at the Jamuna State Guest House in Dhaka.

Main findings

The commission said it had received 1,676 complaints of enforced disappearances, of which 758 cases have been investigated so far. He estimates the total number of disappearances could exceed 3,500 cases, pointing to a “systematic design” within security force operations to ensure these incidents go undetected.

The report names several people allegedly involved, including:

• Former Defense Advisor: Major General (Retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique
• Former NTMC Director General: Major General Ziaul Ahsan dismissed
• Senior Police Officers: Monirul Islam and Md Harun-Or-Rashid

Justice Chowdhury said the operations were deliberately fragmented, with staff not knowing the identities of the victims to ensure denial.

Recommendation to dissolve the RAB

The commission’s most striking recommendation is the disbandment of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a paramilitary force long accused of carrying out human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

Government response

Chief Advisor Professor Yunus commended the commission for its efforts, pledging his full support to assist in its investigations. “You are doing incredibly important work. The government is ready to provide whatever assistance you need,” he said.

In an unprecedented move, the senior adviser announced plans to visit some of the Aynaghar, or secret detention centers, identified by the commission to get a first-hand look at the victims’ suffering.

Next steps

Justice Chowdhury revealed that the commission would deliver its next interim report in March 2025, which would require at least another year to complete its examination of all the allegations.

Dignitaries present

The presentation of the report was attended by commission member Justice Farid Ahmed Shibli, human rights activist Nur Khan, BRAC University academic Nabila Idris and lawyer Sajjad Hossain . Also present were members of the caretaker government’s advisory council, including Adilur Rahman Khan and Sharmeen S Murshid, along with principal secretary Md Siraj Uddin Mia and press secretary Shafiqul Alam.

This report marks a crucial step in uncovering the truth about enforced disappearances in Bangladesh, raising crucial questions about accountability and justice in the country’s governance and security apparatus.