Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul today spoke at a discussion titled 'On the Road to Accountability: Commemorating the Day for the Victims of Enforced Disappearances' at a city hotel. Photo : PID

DHAKA, Aug 30, 2025 (BSS) - Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul today said the interim government is committed to prevent enforced disappearances and therefore formed a commission to properly investigate allegations and uncover the facts.

"The government is working to establish an effective accountability mechanism so that no one falls victim to enforced disappearance in the future," he said while addressing a discussion titled 'On the Road to Accountability: Commemorating the Day for the Victims of Enforced Disappearances' at a city hotel here today. 

Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (CIED) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) jointly hosted the discussion to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. 

"The government has also signed an agreement with the United Nations (UN) on issues related to enforced disappearances, so that such incidents never recur. Our pride and expectation lie in the fact that the Commission on Enforced Disappearances is sincerely carrying out its duties." he added.

Speaking at the function, Dr. Asif Nazrul further said around 20,000 politically motivated false cases filed during the previous government's tenure have already been withdrawn.

He added that after withdrawal, some stakeholders informed that a few of those cases involved genuine militants and criminals.

"I have asked Dr. Nabila (a member of the commission) to work thoroughly on the matter and find out the loopholes," he furthered. 

Industrial Adviser Adilur Rahman said despite having substantial evidence of disappearances, different obstacles remain. 

"The Commission has already submitted two reports, but that does not mean its work has ended," he added mentioning the prolonged struggle and sacrifices of Bangladeshi people.
 
"Though the change came within 36 days, it was built on the blood of thousands and the history of horrific torture. If we can preserve the detention centers and notorious torture cells of the past government as museums, they will serve as historic reminders of authoritarianism for the next generation," he said.

Adilur Rahman also expressed hope that OHCHR and the Commission's joint initiative would guide the judicial process for victims of disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
 
Dr. Nabila Idris, a member of CIED, presented the keynote paper with Commission President retired Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury in the chair.
 
The paper outlined how disappearances were carried out, how many people were disappeared, where they were kept, what types of cases were filed against them, and how evidence and sites were destroyed after August 5.

Enforced disappearance survivor victim Michael Chakma stressed the need to identify and bring to trial all security, military, and civil officials involved in such crimes. 

He suggested that secret prisons be handed over to the commission and preserved as museums to inform people about the brutality of enforced disappearances.

UN Senior Human Rights Adviser in Dhaka Huma Khan, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Advocate Tazul Islam, members of the commission, and representatives of various human rights organizations attended the roundtable, among others.