75% of disappearance survivors linked to Jamaat-Shibir, 68% of those still missing BNP: Commission
The commission states that enforced disappearances in Bangladesh were largely politically motivated
The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has found that Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists make up the majority of those who survived enforced disappearances, while most of those who remain missing are linked to the BNP.
According to the Commission's final report submitted to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today (4 January), 75% of those who returned alive were leaders and activists of Jamaat-Shibir, while 22% were leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations. Among those still missing, 68% were affiliated with the BNP and its allies, and 22% with Jamaat-Shibir.
The commission concluded that enforced disappearances in Bangladesh were largely politically motivated and carried out with the involvement of the highest levels of the immediate past government, according to a press release from the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
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The report stated that evidence indicated direct involvement of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her security and defence adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan in several high-profile disappearances.
According to the commission, a total of 1,913 complaints were submitted during the inquiry. After verification, 1,569 cases were identified as enforced disappearances under the Commission's definition, of which 287 fell into the category of "missing and dead."
Commission member Dr Nabila Idris said the actual number of enforced disappearances could be far higher.
"The number of enforced disappearances could be four to six thousand," she said, explaining that many victims or their families had not approached the commission, were unaware of its work, had relocated abroad, or were unwilling to speak on the record.
The commission said evidence collected during the investigation showed that enforced disappearances were primarily politically motivated crimes.
Cases cited include BNP leaders Ilias Ali, Hummam Quader Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed and Chowdhury Alam, Jamaat leader and former brigadier general Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Quasem, and former ambassador Maroof Zaman.
Commission members said that in many cases the former prime minister herself was the direct order-giver behind enforced disappearances. They also said information gathered about the secret transfer of victims to India without legal process indicated that such renditions were carried out on instructions from the highest levels of government.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus thanked the commission members for their work, describing the report as historic.
"On behalf of the nation, I thank this commission," he said, adding that the atrocities documented in the report – described by him as "paishachik" in Bengali – revealed how institutions were distorted while maintaining the outward appearance of democracy.
"This report documents the demonic behaviour that can be inflicted on people by twisting all institutions and wearing the garb of democracy," he said, noting that those responsible for such acts continue to live normal lives in society. "As a nation, we must find a way to ensure such atrocities never return."
The chief adviser directed that the report be made public in simplified language and instructed the Commission to submit recommendations and proposals for future action. He also ordered the mapping of sites of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, in addition to the notorious detention facility known as 'Aynaghar'.
The commission said its investigation found that the highest number of killings and disappearances occurred in the Baleshwar River in Barishal, where hundreds of victims were allegedly killed and dumped. Evidence was also found of bodies being disposed of in the Buriganga River and in Munshiganj.
Commission members expressed special gratitude to the chief adviser, saying the inquiry would not have been possible without his firm support.
They also urged him to reconstitute the National Human Rights Commission, continue the work initiated by the inquiry, and ensure protection, accountability and justice for the victims of enforced disappearances.
Commission President Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and members Justice Md Farid Ahmed Shibli, Md Nur Khan, Dr Nabila Idris and Md Sazzad Hussain were present at the handover ceremony. Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser Siraz Uddin Mia also attended.
