Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with victims of enforced disappearance and their families on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. He also called for global unity and solidarity to ensure justice and accountability for individuals and institutions involved in enforced disappearances and other crimes against humanity.

The Prime Minister made the call in a message issued on Sunday (August 30) marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

He said the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed worldwide to awaken the conscience of the global community against enforced disappearances carried out by states or governments. This year’s theme is “Victims First, Actions Now.”

He described enforced disappearance as one of the most horrific crimes in the world. It is a global problem and an extreme violation of human rights, he said, adding that such inhumane incidents are particularly prevalent under authoritarian regimes and in regions affected by political conflicts.

Referring to allegations of enforced disappearances and abductions during the previous government, the Prime Minister said the practice was used to suppress democratic and political rights. Secret detention facilities were established to hold victims of enforced disappearance for months or even years, which became publicly known as “Aynaghar.”

According to estimates by national and international human rights organisations, at least several hundred people were forcibly disappeared at different times through the use of law enforcement agencies, he said. The current government has launched investigations into every reported case of enforced disappearance and initiated legal proceedings, the Prime Minister added.

He said initiatives have been taken to formulate a separate legal framework to prevent enforced disappearances in the future. The “Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Bill, 2026” and the “National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2026” have already been placed before Parliament.

Highlighting the suffering endured by families of victims, the Prime Minister said an enforced disappearance or abduction is not merely the disappearance of an individual; it also means the loss of a family’s dreams, hopes and aspirations. Families are forced to live with uncertainty, often without even having the opportunity to mourn their loved ones properly.

Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, he said that following the fall of the “fascist” regime after a prolonged anti-fascist movement, some fortunate victims returned home. However, many others, including Ilias Ali and Chowdhury Alam, remain missing and their whereabouts are still unknown.

The Prime Minister said Article 7(2) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) defines enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity. He also stressed the importance of ensuring exemplary punishment for perpetrators of enforced disappearance.