Thousands of forced disappearances under Hasina rule in Bangladesh: Inquiry

"A new report by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances on Sunday said a total of 1,913 complaints were filed with it over disappearances, of which 1,569 were considered to have disappeared by definition after verification selection. list of 3 itemsend of list Among these, 287 allegations have fallen in the Missing and Dead' category, the report, which was posted on Facebook by Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, read."

"However, commission member Nabila Idris said the number of enforced disappearances could be between 4,000 and 6,000. Contacting many victims of the missing finds more victims through those who have not contacted us, don't know about us or have moved to another country. There are many people with whom, even if we communicate ourselves, they did not agree to speak on record, Idris said."

"According to the commission, which was founded after Hasina's ouster, members said there was a primarily political motive behind the forced disappearances. Of those who had disappeared and returned alive, 75 percent were Jamaat-e-Islami members, and 22 percent were Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) members and leaders, the two main political opponents of Hasina's Awami League. Among those still missing, 68 percent of them are BNP and organisation leaders and 22 percent [are from the] Jamaat-Camp, the report explained."

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances received 1,913 complaints and verified 1,569 cases as enforced disappearances after verification. Of the verified cases, 287 were classified in the 'Missing and Dead' category. Commission member Nabila Idris estimated total enforced disappearances could range between 4,000 and 6,000, citing difficulty contacting many victims and unwillingness to speak on record. The commission identified a primarily political motive for the disappearances. Among returnees, 75 percent were Jamaat-e-Islami members and 22 percent were Bangladesh Nationalist Party members and leaders. Among those still missing, 68 percent were BNP leaders and 22 percent associated with the Jamaat camp. Evidence implicated Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and her defence adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique.

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