Govt extends tenure of inquiry commission on enforced disappearance by 6 months
A notification issued by the Cabinet Division last night (23 June) stated that the commission’s term has been extended until 31 December 2025
The government has extended the tenure of the inquiry commission on enforced disappearance formed to investigate disappearances allegedly committed by law enforcement agencies under the Awami League administration by another six months.
A notification issued by the Cabinet Division last night (23 June) stated that the commission's term has been extended until 31 December 2025. The extension will come into effect from 1 July, as the previous deadline was set to expire on 30 June.
The commission, led by retired Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, was initially scheduled to submit its report by 15 March. The tenure was later extended until the end of June.
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The five-member investigative body was formed on 27 August 2023 to examine cases of enforced disappearance that reportedly occurred between 6 January 2009 and 5 August 2024. Victims, their family members, relatives, or eyewitnesses were allowed to submit complaints between 15 and 30 September last year.
The extension follows a recent visit to Dhaka by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. During their visit, the two-member delegation met with Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, among other officials.
Nazrul later told reporters that the UN delegation had recommended extending the commission's tenure.
He also said a new law on enforced disappearances is currently being drafted, which will include provisions for establishing a permanent commission on the issue.
