Death penalty approved for enforced disappearance under new law
“This is a landmark law. It will ensure that enforced disappearances never occur again in the country,” says the CA's press secretary.
The advisory council, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, today gave final approval to the Enforced Disappearance Prevention, Remedies and Protection Ordinance, 2025 – a law that introduces the death penalty as the maximum punishment and other stringent punishments for those proven guilty of enforced disappearance.
Announcing the approval at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in the capital, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam described the ordinance as "a historic step" to ensure that such crimes never occur again in Bangladesh.
"No fascist regime will ever be able to rule through fear and disappearances," said Alam.
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He further said, "During Sheikh Hasina's tenure, thousands of men and women were disappeared. The commission formed to investigate these cases has already received nearly 2,000 complaints, and its members estimate that the real number exceeds 4,000."
Alam alleged that there had been hundreds of secret detention centres – so-called "Aynaghar" – where the disappeared were held, with many still unaccounted for. "Many BNP activists remain missing to this day," he added.
Key provisions
The new law defines enforced disappearance as a distinct criminal offence and prescribes the death penalty and other severe punishments for those found guilty. It also criminalises the establishment and use of secret detention centres.
Under the ordinance, the National Human Rights Commission will have the authority to receive and investigate complaints related to disappearances.
Special tribunals will be formed to expedite trials, with a mandatory completion of proceedings within 120 days of framing charges.
The law guarantees protection for victims, witnesses, and information providers, and ensures compensation and legal aid for victims' families.
It establishes a dedicated fund and a national database for prevention and redress.
Alam said the law has been drafted in line with the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which Bangladesh joined on 29 August 2024
Public holiday list, Logistics Policy approved
The advisory council also approved the list of official public holidays for the coming year. The government sanctioned 28 days of leave for 2026, comprising both general and executive order holidays, excluding the regular weekly days off. Nine of these approved days, however, fall on weekends.
Furthermore, the advisory council gave final approval to the Logistics Policy 2025, which is expected to boost investment from both the private and foreign sectors in the logistics industry and significantly enhance Bangladesh's export competitiveness compared to rivals.
Preparatory meetings on July Charter implementation
Regarding the implementation of the July Charter, the press secretary said several preparatory meetings are underway as political parties are yet to reach a consensus.
"We hope the political parties will hold discussions among themselves and arrive at a decision. If they fail to do so, the interim government will take the necessary steps," he warned.
